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CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 

of the 

364th HELD HOSPITAL COMPANY 



ft. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 

of the 

364th FIELD HOSPITAL 

COMPANY 




Published at 

Portland, Oregon 

July, 1921 






Copyright 1921 
364th Field Hospital Publication Committee 



CHffc 
JOM 2 1811 



Press of 

Portland Printing House Co. 

Portland, Oregon 



V/ 13 1922 / 



DEDICATED 

TO THOSE 

WHO WROTE LETTERS 

TO US 




a, O 



5 ^ 






FOREWORD 

The object of this volume is to establish a permanent 
record of tJiat company, best known as Field Hospital 364, 
from the beginning until — who can say ? Army orders state 
that 364 expired in the Spring of 1919 ; but the spirit of the 
organization and friendships formed therein will last as 
long as the men. 

The editors have done their best to portray the personal 
as well as the historial events ; but it is to be regretted that 
the information regarding individuals was, of necessity, 
drawn from the memories of the authors, and does not do 
justice to the members of 364. 

The compilation of this volume has been an honor and 
privilege rather than a task, as it has enabled us to visualize 
old times and record them for our comrades. 

THE EDITORS 

Alvin 0. Binswanger, John Helmer, 

Harlan C. Bristow, Jason F. Van Winkle, 

J. Harry Carroll, James M. Vranizan. 



SUMMARY 

June 4, 1917 — Company fully recruited. 

July 15, 1917 — Departure for Camp Lewis. 

June 27, 1918— Entrained for the East. 

July 12, 1918— Sailed on the Olympic. 

July 19, 1918 — Arrived Southampton. 

July 21, 1918 — Arrived Cherbourg. 

July 27, 1918— Arrived St. Nazaire. 

August 28, 1918 — Arrived Montigny-le Roi. 

Sept. 10-13, 1918— Reserve for St. Mihiel Drive. 

Sept. 20, 1918— In the Forest de Hesse. 

Sept. 26-Oct. 4 — Argonne Drive. 

Oct. 17 — Entrained at Revigny. 

Oct. 19 — Arrived Elverdinghe, Belgium. 

Nov. 1-4 — Lgs. Scheldt Drive. 

Dec. 28 — Left Proven for Prance. 

Jan. 3 (?) — Arrived de G-laye. 

March 24 — Arrived Montoir-St. Nazaire. 

April 8 — Sailed on '"Virginian." 

April 20— Docked Hoboken ; Train to Camp Upton. 

May 9 — Last of 364 mustered out. 



(The Oregonian, July 16. 1917) 

HOSPITAL UNIT STARTS TO WAR 

Portland Company, First to Be Called, Entrains 

for Camp at American Lake. 

ATHLETES AMONG NUMBER 

Eighty Men and Five Officers Are in Organization — 

Women to Meet Tuesday to Arrange for 

Delicacies to Members. 



First among the field hospital units of the Pacific 
Coast to be called into service, the Portland Field 
Hospital, Medical Department of the Enlisted Reserve 
Corps, U. S. A., entrained at the Union Depot late last 
night for American Lake and the rigors of the training 
camp. 

The unit, which already is declared by experts to be 
in fine fettle, is composed of 80 enlisted men and five 
officers. The officers are Lieutenant J. Guy Strom, 
in command; Lieutenant Si)iro Sargentich, Lieutenant 
Mount and Lieutenant Wetherbee. The latter two pre- 
ceded the company to American Lake. 

Some hundreds of friends and relatives watched the 
men as they fell into line for roll call, rather smartly 
for all their briefness of training and gave ringing 
answers of ''Here!" At least a third of the unit are 
men of six feet and more in height, and all were of 
the clean-cut type of American youth. 

Many of the enlisted men left business and profes- 
sion, established in this city, to join the service, and 
nearly all members of this unit are well known. 

Walter A. Hummel, a member of the Multnomah 
Amateur Athletic Club, is an athlete of National repute, 
and holds the 440-yard hurdle record for senior and 
junior, won at the Amateur Athletic Union games in 
Newark, N. J., last September. 

**Bill" Holden was a rock of strength in the 
University of Oregon football team, and for the last 
three years has been with the "Winged M. " Brewer 
A. Billie captained the Oregon Agricultural College 
football squad, which defeated the Michigan Agricul- 
tural College team in 1915. .Joseph Luckey was an 
intersch elastic star a few years ago. E. R, Holt is a 
Multnomah athlete, Joseph Lambert, a member of the 
Portland Golf Club, was a strong participant in the 
recent Northwest tournament at Waverly links. John 
Wilhelm, of Portland Academy and the University of 
Oregon, is champion golfer of the Eugene Country Club. 
DENTAL SCHOOL GRADUATE ENLISTS 

Alfred Schilt, a recent graduate from the North 
Pacific Dental College, was a sensational football 
player in the Portland Interseholastic League a few 



years since, * ' Ted ' ' Preble gained laurels for the 
Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club as a staunch swim- 
mer and diver. Kobert N. McMurray is the son of 
William McMurray, of the O.-W. R. & N., and was of 
note as an orator at Jefferson High School and the 
University of Oregon. 

Two newspaper men are in the unit. Earl R. 
Goodwin, member of the Oregonian reportorial staff, 
and for several years assistant sporting editor, had 
been in the employ of the Oregonion since 1909. Ser- 
geant Finlay D. McNaughton for several years was a 
member of The Oregonian staff, and at the time of his 
enlistment was assistant night editor of the Journal. 
ALL ARE EAGER FOR DUTY 

The men are keen for duty in France. Their only 
apprehension is tliat, being the first Field Hospital 
unit to be summoned to American Lake, they may be 
found so indispensable there that the orders for foreign 
service will tarry. The roster of enlisted men is as 
follows: 

Non-commissioned officers — Walter D. Whitcomb, 
Donald M. MacClaire, James L. Boone, Ellsworth B. 
Hanna, Finlay D. McNaughton, Harlan C. Bristow, 
James B. Mockbee, Lewis C. Holbrook. 

Privates — Roland L. Atcheson, Erwin H. Baren- 
drick, Perc. S. Brown, Hart L. Browne, Lewis A. Bron- 
augh, Brewer A. Billie, Alvin O. Binswanger, John H. 
Carroll, George A. Carroll, Charles C. Callahan, Harry 
E. Cherry, Joseph B. Canfield, George E. Drew, Ken- 
neth C. Farley, Raeman T. Flemming, John E. Gillmore, 
Isaac E. Garrard, Chester E. Gast, Edwin F. Grigwire, 
William E. Gerber, Earl R. Goodwin, Charles E. Gasset, 
William F. Holden, Walter A. Hummel, Thomas Hunter, 
Merritt S. Hughes, Willard H. Hurley, John Helmer, 
Harold Hershner, Edmond Holt, Leslie W. Hartley, 
George Hepburn, George H. Jehlinger, Leonard I. Kauf- 
man, Edward F. La Spronce, Joseph L. Luckey, Joseph 
H. Lambert, Karl Madison, Walter R. Miller, Basil L. 
Meekins, Edmund F. Munly, Alfred E. Mattern, Esker 
R. Mitchell, Frank W. McElroy, Robert N. McMurray, 
Milton F. Penfield, George F. Pettengill, Edward W. 
Preble, Leon J. Robertson, Laurence A. Rosenthal, Amil 
J. Ruff, Alfred Schilt, Glenn Sheeley, Sidney L. 
Shoell, Charles P. Short, William A. Sieberts, George 
M. Simons, Cornelius R. Stein, George Stiegeler, Cecil 
Stemler, Frederick R. Stipe, William H. Stipe, John C. 
Sturm, Albert Thornburj% Frank H. Tusler, Jason F. 
Van Winkle, Dominic J. Vranizan, James M. Vranizan, 
Francis T. Wade, Clyde L. Walter, George W. Warmoth, 
John Wilhelm. 

The woman's auxiliary of the unit will meet in the 
(Central Library at 8 o'clock Tuesday night to effect a 
permanent organization to send delicacies to the men. 
All wives, mothers, sisters and sweethearts of the 
members are urged to attend. 



CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY 

of the 

364th FIELD HOSPITAL COMPANY 



PART I 

HEADQUARTERS, WESTERN DEPARTMENT 

Special Orders, 
No. 148 

San Francisco, Cal., July 7, 1917. 

Extract. 

33. Seventy-nine enlisted men of the Medical Enlisted 
Reserve Corps, composing Field Hospital Company unit, now 
at Portland, Oregon, are ordered into active service and will 
proceed, under command of First Lieutenant John Guy 
Strohm, Medical Officers' Reserve Corps, to mobilization 
camp, American Lake, Washington, for duty. The Quarter- 
master Corps, Vancouver Barracks, Washington, will issue 
to each enlisted man his initial allowance of clothing and 
furnish the necessary transportation and subsistence for the 
journey. The travel directed is necessary in the military 
service. 

* # * 

By command of Major General Liggett: 

H. H. WHITNEY, 

Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant General 

Department Adjutant. 

The official history of the Medical Department of the 
Ninety-first Division began with the execution of this order. 

On July 15, 1917, at the Union Depot, Portland, Oregon, 
77 of these 79 enlisted men, together with Lieutenants John 
Guy Strohm, J. R. Wetherbee and Spiro Sargentisch; the 
first named being in command, entrained for American Lake, 
Washington, the site of Camp Lewis. 

Let this day and this event be remembered as a great 

[1] 



The 364th F. H. 

day and a great event in the history of the City of Portland, 
the State of Oregon, and the entire Northwest. Let it be 
remembered with a surging pride, for this little band of men 
was the nucleus of the 364th Field Hospital, 316th Sanitary 
Train — that gallant and valorous company which, months 
later, did so well to distinguish itself in the supreme test of 
service rendered in the Argonne Forest and the Ypres- 
Scheldt Drive ; and by so doing made its name memorable in 
the history of the city, state and territory from which it 
sprang. 

To the nation at large and to the Allied Cause the com- 
pany rendered service worthy of generous praise and com- 
mendation. The spirit of the 364th Field Hospital was a 
true part of that larger national and international spirit 
that made an Allied victory possible. 

The 364th Field Hospital, 316th Sanitary Train, 91st 
Division came to life in the suite of rooms in the Medical 
Building, Portland, Oregon, occupied by Captain Herbert 
M. Greene and Lieutenant John Guy Strohm, as they were 
officially designated at the time. Captain Greene was a 
recruiting officer who but recently had returned from the 
Mexican border, and Lieutenant Strohm, his office partner, 
when the two had been medical practitioners in civilian life, 
began his military career as aide to his partner in the re- 
cruiting of enlisted men for field hospital and ambulance com- 
panies and in the giving of physical examinations to medical 
practitioners who were desirous of obtaining commissions. 

The volume of work put through by these two men was 
enormous and demanded the services of an office personnel 
of enlisted men who could come early in the morning and 
stay on the job until the small hours of the next morning, 
working at high pressure all the time. 

An enumeration or explanation of their many tasks has 
no part in this narrative. Such an explanation would cover 
many pages and leave the reader, probably, in as bewildered 
a state of mind as that of the officers and men who found 
the struggle with army rules and regulations a never-ending 
puzzle. It is sufficient to state that the spirit displayed here, 
as everywhere else, was that company spirit which made the 
364th Field Hospital the success that it was. 

It may well be said that this company spirit was born 
in these offices ; for here it was that the patriotic young 

[2] 



Multnomah Field 

man who was ready to give his life to his country, if need 
be, took the oath that made him a member of the Medical 
Enlisted Eeserve Corps. 

MULTNOMAH FIELD 

The original companj^ almost to a man, learned the rules 
of military courtesy and the principles of military drill 
in evening sessions held on Multnomah Field. Thanks is here 
given to the several individuals whose names have been lost 
in the passing of time, but whose service to us, as instructors 
and drill-masters will ever be gratefully remembered. 

The first of these drills were held in civilian clothes. 
Afterwards, when uniforms and equipment had been secured 
from the barracks at Vancouver, Washington, and had been 
distributed, tried on, altered and tailored and finally donned 
with true military pride, these evening drills were performed 
with a snap that would have done credit to a company of 
old-time regulars. 

ENTRAINING 

Certainly, the men who stood assembled on the platform 
of the Union Depot to say a soldier's farewell to those they 
loved best and dearest and whom they might never see again, 
were much more military in their appearance than would 
have seemed possible, considering the short time they had 
drilled as a company, and the peculiarities of the army uni- 
form to which they, perforce, had become accustomed. 

The good-byes said — and they were the good-byes of 
heart to heart, given and received without any great display 
of outward emotion — officers and enlisted men together 
boarded the train and were carried away. 

THE FIRST BREAKFAST 

Now the ways of army life and civilian life differ as every- 
body knows. An example of this difference is afforded in 
the relation of the ordeal known in the company annals 
as ''That First Breakfast." 

To properly appreciate "That First Breakfast" it is 
necessary to take the reader back to the train bearing the 
company to American Lake. Stretched on the seats without 
overcoats or blankets, were men who were growing more 
cramped and chilly with each passing moment. These men 

[3] 



The 364th F. H. 

knew and took comfort in the thought that the mess sergeant 
and an assistant had preceded them to American Lake in an 
automobile two days previously for the express purpose of 
reporting to the officer whose duty it was known was the 
preparing of the kitchen and a good meal for the company 
that was coming. The time for this duty seemed ample and 
the task not great; so what mattered a few hours of cold 
and crowded train riding, when a good substantial meal — 
probably hot and of varied dishes — awaited them at their 
first camp site, wherever it might be. 

Imagine then the mingled emotions of dismay and dis- 
gust when, after de-training in the piercing cold of a Camp 
Lewis morning, they were marched, stiff and sore as they 
were, to their camp site, half a mile or so east of the track, 
and there forced to partake of a slice of army bread and a 
cup of bitter black coffee. Judging by the remarks made 
during and after breakfast, the meal was not satisfactory. 
Lucky was the man who was provided with a box of home- 
cooked grub, and lucky were they who were able to share 
the good fortune of those so equipped. The rest were *'out 
of luck" — a phrase that every man who saw service under- 
stands. 

THE FIRST DETAILS 

Imagine for a moment the task of preparing a summer 
camp for a small party of people in a flat, wooded loca- 
tion with a snow-capped mountain in the background, and 
enlarge this task to the extent of accommodating 79 enlisted 
men and four officers ; and you have a good, general concep- 
tion of the task of preparing the first camp of Field Hospital 
Co. B — to give the organization one of its early names. 

On Multnomah Field and during the cold night journey 
to American Lake, details had been appointed for the various 
tasks necessary for the proper making of a field camp. 
These details began their tasks the minute breakfast was 
concluded and fairly before the bad taste of the army portion 
of it was out of their mouths. Some felled the trees that 
hindered the erecting of the line of tents along the company 
street ; others dug an incinerator ; still others erected a flag- 
pole close to the head of the company street. A large detail 
improved upon the arrangements of the kitchen, unpacked 
supplies and stored them as best they could. Another detail 

[4] 



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■St home in The an-.iy. 4. Chateau at Waereghem. 5. Our second camp 
site at Camp I.ewis. 6. K. P. at Ceton, France. 



Camp Lewis 

(lug out the boxes containing army cots and blankets; and 
without going further into the experiences of the first day 
the narrative will proceed to an account of the never-to-be- 
forgotten experiences of the first night. 

THE FIRST NIGHT IN CAMP 

Some time during the day each man was supplied with 
two army blankets and a cot. Many retired immediately 
after the evening mess, dog tired from the excitement and 
novelty of their first day of army life. For an hour or so 
after the sun went down, the temperature inside the tents 
was agreeable; but by the time "Taps" had been blown, 
the chill in the air w^as quite noticeable. 

By midnight, many of those who had retired in regular 
fashion had been up several times to don additional articles 
of clothing and so keep from freezing. The painful truth 
that army blankets v^^ere but very little protection against 
the ever-increasing cold was being brought forcibly to the 
mind of the company — that is, blankets that were laid on the 
cot as sheets were laid on the bed back home. Many gave 
up the struggle of keeping warm in bed and sat up around 
the kitchen fire and told stories to keep warm. Others man- 
fully wrestled with the problem of folding the blankets 
against the cold and of getting themselves properly between 
the folds when once arranged. A few succeeded and man- 
aged to sleep warm during the remainder of the night; the 
rest of those "hard-try" men kept themselves warm by try- 
ing. And this night-time experience, like the bitter, black 
coffee and army bread, never will be forgotten. 

After all, it was only a small experience as compared 
with some of the big moments to come in action in France 
and Belgium; but certainly it was a vivid contrast to 
civilian home life, just ended. 

GUARD MOUNT 

It were well to emphasize the fact that Camp Lewis, as 
a camp, did not exist at this time. In journeying through 
tlie woods about the camp, one came upon stakes driven 
aimlessly it seemed. And one could walk for a long distance 
in any direction save the v^^est and discover these stakes. 
It gave one a feeling of awe so to compute the size of the 
cantonment. And when the sound of hammer and saw began 

[5] 



The 364th F. H. 

to reach us through the trees, which speedily happened, we 
were gradually but forcibly awakened to the size of the task 
confronting Uncle Sam in just this one feature of preparing 
civilians for war. 

To acquaint with the ways of army life the reader who 
never has been on a cantonment, or to whom an army day, 
whether it be in an open camp or in barracks, is a matter 
of hazy conjecture ; it would seem best to explain the 
schedule of a work day for the full twenty-four hours, begin- 
ning at midnight. The schedule presented here is not the 
one laid down in orders issued from division headquarters 
after the division was formed and was about to commence 
training as a unit ; but rather the schedule that was in 
force during the days when the organization functioned as 
camp guard, camp fire department, and camp hospital — the 
days when the company was "on it's own" and Camp Lewis 
was just being constructed — has been chosen. This schedule 
was made up by our company commander and it served 
its purpose well. By its guidance more was actually ac- 
complished at times than would have seemed humanly pos- 
sible. Reference is being made to the time when the organ- 
ization was feeding and caring for over five hundred patients, 
with but very little outside help. No schedule of duty in 
the ward tents is presented, for the reason that the hours 
on and off duty and the duties themselves were subject to 
instant change as the pressure of the work required. 

Returning then to mid-night, we discover the sergeant 
of the guard and the officer of the day being changed. 
There was no ceremony such as regular army ''Guard 
Mount" connected with this event. A tired officer and non- 
commissioned officer, each at his respective quarters, awak- 
ened fresh officers to their respective posts of duty and then 
rolled into bed. Both these new officers were on duty con- 
tinuously for the next twenty-four hours. The new officer of 
the day, whenever the mood possessed him which, in those 
days was quite often, inspected the guard to see that each 
man was walking his post, properly armed. The non-com- 
missioned officer changed the guard every two hours accord- 
ing to a schedule which gave each guard two hours on post 
and four off dutv alternatelv for the twentv-four hours. 



[6] 



Kitchen Police 

K. P. 

At 4 A. M. the sergeant of the guard awakened from 
slumber an individual who generally groaned and rolled over 
on the other side. This hapless man was the early K. P. — 
kitchen police — whose duty was to light the fire in the field 
range and take the necessary preliminary steps towards pre- 
paring breakfast for a companj^ of men who were certain to 
be hungry. In the open or in barracks his was a freezing 
job, as may well be imagined, for an indication of the night 
temperature has already been given the reader and the bar- 
racks themselves were just as cold, owing to the regulations 
which ordered barracks windows thrown open at night, re- 
gardless of the outside temperature. 

During the first days of camp life the mess sergeant and 
two assistants, either a cook and K. P. or two cooks, arose 
at this freezing hour, in order to insure the proper beginning 
of a day in the kitchen. But as the field range and it's equip- 
ment became better understood this practice was altered to 
the one just described. 

At about 5 A. M. this hapless K. P. was able to grin at 
two or three chattering comrades who rushed for the fire he 
had built. These servers of Uncle Sam were the cooks and 
the rest of the K. P. 

THE DAY BEGINS 

At 5:45 A. M. the bugler blew "First Call." Fifteen 
minutes prior to this time he had been awakened by the 
sergeant of the guard. While the bugler stood at the base 
of the flag-pole awakening the camp to the activities of a 
new day, the sergeant of the guard stood beside him slowly 
raising the flag to the top of the staff. 

''First Call" was followed by "Keveille" at 5:55 A. M. 
and found the boys hustling into their clothes. ''Assembly" 
came five minutes later and morning roll call was held on 
the company street in front of the tents. 

Six-fifteen to 6:30 A. M. was devoted to setting-up ex- 
ercises, sometimes conducted by an enlisted man, sometimes 
by an officer. 

"Mess Call" was blown at 6:45 A. M. In the meantime 
the men had washed and shaved and taken the first steps to- 
wards putting their tents in order. 

[7] 



The 364th F. H. 

At the very beginning of our army days we ate mess while 
standing about the field kitchen and the bare ground was our 
table. Then real tables were built by several members of 
the company who were handy with carpenter's tools, and 
there were many such men. These men likewise constructed 
racks on which the towels used for drying mess equipment 
and kitchen utensils might be hung. Every man in the com- 
pany heaved a great sigh of relief when at last we were in- 
stalled in our appointed barracks and were able to eat our 
meals under a genuine roof and in a real dining room. 

THE LADIES AUXILIARY 

While on the subject of mess it were befitting to mention 
the many benefits received from the Ladies Auxiliary, nearly 
all of which had something to do with the kitchen. 

To our mothers, wives, sisters, sweethearts and friends 
we owe a debt of gratitude we never can hope to repay. 
They were with us and for us from the first to the last, with 
food or money or in some other practical way, and when 
this was impossible, as guiding, comforting and protecting 
spirits. 

The 364th Field Hospital Auxiliary formally came into 
being in room H of the Central Library, Portland, Oregon, 
on the evening of July 27, 1917. Mrs. J. H. Bristow was 
elected president; Mrs. E. M. Holden, vice-president; Mrs. 
A. S. Rosenthal, treasurer, and Miss Pearl Dalton, secretary. 
In recognition of her efforts in forming the Auxiliary, Miss 
0. C. Graves was elected honorary president. The body of 
the organization consisted of about one hundred members. 

To return to the schedule. ''Sick Call" came next. The 
time varied as the work demanded, but ''Sick Call" in some 
form was held from the very beginning. This was the time 
when the chronic "bunk hound" — the derivation of which 
phrase maj^ easilv be imagined — got his large dose of castor 
oil. 

DAILY SCHEDULE 

Before this, however, in fact just as soon after mess as 
possible, the duty of putting the camp in order was resumed. 
During the period that the inspections were held in tents, 
the manners of preparing for them were varied and arduous. 
At one time in our Camp Lewis career, a prize was offered 

[8] 



Daily Schedule 

to the inmates of the tent found to be in the best order. The 
competition for this honor was keen, for the prize was an 
extra pass from camp. 

Seven-thirty to 8:15 A. M., Drill; School of the Detach- 
ment. This meant drill to all those not assigned to special 
duty and not on fatigue duty. This drill might be conducted 
by a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer or 
some buck private selected for competency. Or it might not 
be conducted at all. Instead the entire company might be 
marched somewhere for another ''shot in the arm." The 
unexpected and the unwished-for were always happening to 
the company schedule. 

Eight-thirty to 9:15 A. M., Ceremonies or Drill — if not 
something else. 

Nine-thirty to 10 :30 A. M., Lecture. In the barracks, this 
generally took place in the dining room. While we lived 
in tents, the lecture periods, w^henever possible, were spent 
under the trees. These lectures, delivered by an officer who 
had been a doctor in civilian life, would be on any topic from 
camp sanitation to human anatomy. 

Ten-forty-five to 11:30 A. M., Drill. More school of the 
detachment. This period might be devoted to drill by squads 
of eight men, or to drill by platoons of four or more squads 
each, or to drill with litters — or stretchers, as they are known 
in civilian life— or to the many variations of marching or 
tent pitching. 

Twelve noon. Mess. 

One-thirty to 2 :15 P. M., Sanitation in the Field. In other 
words the detachment would be instructed in the duties of 
laying out a camp, for example. These were so bewildering, 
then as now, that nothing is added to the reader's knowledge 
by an endeavor to explain the methods employed to obtain 
the perfected system by which men erected and tore down 
the tents in record time. Or perhaps sanitation in the field 
would be dropped temporarily to indulge in semaphore signal- 
ing or wig-wagging. 

Two-thirty to 4:00 P. M.. Review of First Aid. This 
might mean a review of the lecture of the day: practice in 
carrying wounded patients, bandaging imaginary wounds, 
and so on. 

Five-forty-five P. M., "First Call for Retreat." 

Five-fifty-five P. M., ''Assembly" and "Roll Call." 

m 



The 364th F. H. 

similar to the morning ''Assembly" and ''Roll Call." After 
which the company marched to the parade ground before the 
flag-pole to do its part in the daily ceremony of lowering 
the Stars and Stripes to the notes of the bugle. 

Six P. M., Mess. 

The evening would be devoted to many occupations. Read- 
ing, clothes mending, journeys to the many recreation centers 
about camp, letter writing and so on, with plenty of card 
and crap games progressing on the bunks or mess tables, 
whether orders allowed them or not. 

Nine-forty-five P. M., "Tattoo." A call to send the com- 
pany to quarters. 

Eleven P. M., "Taps." When lights were put out and the 
army day was over to everyone except the sergeant of the 
guard, the guard themselves and the officer of the day, all 
of whom would be relieved at mid-night. 

This brief sketch gives no account of the paper work 
done during the day by the office force. The routine was 
a heavy one even on days when orders of one sort and an- 
other and from one source and another did not pile up. 

Sunday was the day of rest and passes from camp. Very 
few remained in camp other than those who had to be there. 

DIVERSIFIED DUTIES 

At our first tent site, the organization had several names. 
Provisional Field Hospital 30; Field Hospital Co. B are ex- 
amples. 

The company, under whatever name, had the proud dis- 
tinction of functioning as Camp Guard ; Camp Hospital and 
Camp Fire Department, all at the same time. As Camp 
Guard, during the early days before Camp Lewis emerged 
upon us through falling trees, our sentry posts were far-flung 
and embraced everything of value in the camp. 

As Camp Hospital, the organization took care of the in- 
jured workmen about the cantonment, with the assistance 
and co-operation of the Regimental Hospital established by 
Captain North ington, afterwards Lieutenant Colonel North- 
ington in charge of the Base Hospital. But the biggest and 
most successful undertaking of the company as a hospital 
occurred shortly after we had moved to our second tent site, 
at which time we were required to care for from three to 
five hundred or more patients, and feed them and our own- 

[10] 



Camels and Asses Clubs 

selves from two army field ranges. Happily for us, this situa- 
tion did not endure for many weeks. 

THE LIFE 

The big events of our life in barracks was the rough-house 
on Halloween Eve, when the place was made to look as 
though a cyclone had passed through it and was not restored 
to order until the small hours of the next morning. 

Second — the formation of the Camels and Asses Clubs, 
one on one side of the hall and the other on the other. 

When the arguments between these two warring factions 
grew hot it was as much as a man's life was worth to go 
up-stairs. The same may be said of the down-stairs organiza- 
tion known as the "Goats," who, though out-numbered by 
both the Camels and the Asses, were a hard bunch to beat. 

The party given on New Year's Eve, 1918, to our friends 
and relatives who happened to be in camp or who could come 
out from Tacoma or Seattle, was an immense success. The 
party was held in the mess hall. The music was the best 
to be had in the Train ; the dance itself, though held in 
crowded quarters, was a highly enjoyable affair. The re- 
freshments were excellent. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas were spent in Portland by 
most of the company, so little is to be said of those holidays. 

Liberty Day, in Portland, Oregon, when the company, 
recruited to its full strength, showed the home folks how 
it could march, was an event never to be forgotten by those 
who took part as well as those who were spectators. 

Twice the division as a unit was inspected by Major 
General Greene, and the performances of Field Hospital 364 
were praiseworthy on both occasions. 

In athletics, the company was very proficient. Foot- 
ball, baseball, basketball, track — all had their devotees, many 
of whom were big figures in Northwestern sports. One, 
Walter Hummell, national amateur hurdler, journeyed to 
St. Louis while the organization was at its second tent site, 
to take part in the National Amateur Meet of 1917. His 
performance there was excellent considering the fact that 
he had been sick for several days prior to his departure for 
the East, and that two days constituted his entire training 
period. 

In football several men who have big names in North- 
Ill] 



The 364th F. H. 

western athletics gave the company a name to be remembered 
in that sport. In camp life, these men were members of the 
316th Sanitary Train Team, the best of the 91st Division 
Teams and also members of the 91st Division Team itself, 
which played the Marines from Mare Island, California, in 
one of the biggest contests ever held in the Northwest, played 
in the Stadium at Tacoma, before an audience of forty 
thousand. 

In baseball, basketball and track athletics the organiza- 
tion made a fine record. 

Last, but not least, more enlisted men connected with 
this organization won commissions than from any other 
organization in the 816th Sanitary Train. 

OUR DESTINY 

Right from the start — back in the office where the re- 
cruiting was done — there had been rumors as to when the 
compan.y would go to France. We knew we were enlisting 
for service overseas, for there was a telegram from Wash- 
ington, D. C, to that effect, to spur recruiting on. From the 
day we signed the oath of allegiance to our country until 
the day Ave were discharged we heard rumors that directly 
and indirectly affected us. Some of these rumors — in fact 
most of them — were wildly improbable ; others — the com- 
parative few, based on probabilities that for the most part 
were clearly apparent — developed into the actualities that 
formed our military history. 

The man who drilled on Multnomah Field, first in civilian 
clothes and then in brand-new uniform was a man who kept 
his head up to face the struggle of a life unknown to him. 
The man who marched to the train that was to take him to 
the Atlantic sea-board, though a seasoned, well-trained 
soldier, kept his head up to face struggles and difficulties — 
the realities of the Argonne and the Ypres-Scheldt Drive — 
which his imagination could not encompass. And it was 
well that this was so. The life ahead of the man was harder 
by far than the life he had lead, hard as it had been. But 
onward he went, cheerful, confident and brave, to an un- 
known land and unknown dangers, and Camp Lewis saw him 
no more until he returned to be honorably discharged from 
the service. 

[12] 



Departure from Camp Lewis 

PART II 
PKEPARATIONS FOR LEAVING 

From the time of our arrival at Camp Lewis, the para- 
mount question in the minds of all was "when do we go from 
here?" Especially during the early training days was this 
true. Conversation swung about it, converged toward it. 
clustered around it and focused upon it. P]ven when think- 
ing or speaking about other things, this vital question burned 
vividly in the sub-conscious mind. Though at all times there 
was vast uncertainty as to the length of time we were to be 
held there, some should not have been "surprised" if the com- 
pany had been ordered away at the end of a month ; others, 
more conservative, thought three months would be the pos- 
sible limit; still others, more dubious, were inclined to feel 
that the time might be indefinite, though they conceded the 
possibility of moving orders being received any day. The 
subject was the motive for many a wager and, incidently, the 
cause of many dollars being hurried into circulation at the 
expense and discomfiture of certain members of the com- 
pany. 

About the middle of November, Lieutenant Monroe 
started the rumor that he had it on semi-official authority, 
that December L5 should see us on our way to New York. 
This made the boys jerk to attention and look alive. But the 
rumor was not well founded. Nothing happened. And as 
the calendar clicked off the days, they grew into months, 
the winter had passed, spring was upon us and we seemed 
to have taken root on the spot. By this time some had grown 
hard-boiled watching the floating bubbles of rumor as they 
were blown from day to day. and resolved to watch no more, 
having given up the hope of leaving the place until the end 
of the war. About this time the abbreviation, "S. 0. S.," 
came into its own. It was usually applied, either audibly or 
mentally, to each rumor (latrine or otherwise), though there 
were always some who, with varying degrees of receptivity, 
never tired of watching these bubbles to see whither they 
would lead; and with the bursting of each successive sphere, 
watched with unabated eagerness for the launching of a fresh 
one. When it collapsed they joined in the loud chorus of 
disclaimer as tlie boys s(ninded off in the vernacular suited 
to the occasion. 

ri3] 



The 364th F. H. 

The months of training and keeping our ear to the ground 
had made us unusually psychic. All through the month of 
May there had been a growing feeling that our time at Camp 
Lewis was drawing to a close, and when, early in June, an 
abrupt change took place, we should have sensed it had we 
been blind, so pronounced were the indications. Major Col- 
bert said: "You boys are going to France very soon now — 
much sooner than you think. Just how soon I am not at 
liberty to state. So make the most of your time." Later 
we were told that we might inform relatives and friends 
that inside of three weeks we should be on our way. But 
always indefinite and a certain air of secrecy shrouding it. 
During the last few days there was a slackening of the rigid 
training that had made muscles hard as boards and each move 
had a definite meaning. Our hospital equipment was loaded 
aboard the cars. Code addresses were selected by each man, 
to be used in case he should cable from overseas, and instruc- 
tions issued to so inform the one whom he might cable. These 
cable addresses were composed of an ingenious combination 
of the name and place, being part of each word so arranged 
as to form the most euphonious combination. 

Rumor bubbles ceased to float in the air, for all now was 
fact and verity. The sturdiest doubter doubted no more. 
We were surely going. It required some hours for our 
minds to come into a complete realization of what we were 
facing. The unbelievable had occurred. The time to which 
we had looked forward for so many months had come. After 
eleven months, eleven days and eleven hours at Camp Lewis, 
we were leaving for the East. 

While the morale of 364 had always been maintained at 
a high standard, yet a certain mechanical spirit, at times 
on the borderland of the listless, had been prevalent — a spirit 
inseparable from, and consonant with the attitude of the typi- 
cal training camp mind. But now there was noticed a new 
light in the eye, and every man moved as with a purpose. 
There was serious work ahead. The time to perform real 
service was at hand. The knowledge galvanized into new 
activity and raised the morale to a higher order. 



[14] 



On the Train 

THE TRIP ACROSS THE CONTINENT 

Many fond good-byes were said by those who were fortu- 
nate enough to have friends and relatives to see them leave ; 
but the grand prize was given to George Drew. It surely was 
tough for him. 

At 4:45 P. M. of Thursday, June 27, 364 climbed onto 
and over-populated two tourist Pullmans and wondered how 
life for six days could be tolerated under such crowded con- 
ditions. But now, as we fall into a reminiscent mood, this 
trip stands forth like a blazing star as one of the luxurious 
events of our army career. 

Before entraining, the route over which we were to be 
taken was kept secret. We were headed South. Among the 
boys who lived in Portland there was a division of sentiment. 
Some, of course, would have been glad to see members of 
their family, should the route take them through their home 
town ; yet it should have been more of a heart rend than a 
consolation, and some preferred to slip away without having 
to cause the pain of final parting. For, after all, those good- 
byes did not seem to get us anywhere. They were harder on 
the ones left behind. 

At Vancouver, Washington, there was a delegation to 
greet us. Several sleight of hand artists had circumvented 
orders and wired ahead to Portland causing an exodus of 
the 364th Ladies Auxiliary. A few more good-byes while 
we changed train crews, and we were off over the Union 
Pacific. When the train came to a stop, then started moving 
again, the engine taking the switch and the line of sixteen 
cars began to slowly bend to the left, indicating that the 
long Eastern journey had actually begun, it was at that 
moment that the Portland boys realized (with a deep-drawn 
breath), that there was not even a chance for them to see 
their people — not for a long time. 

The next morning we were introduced to a set of rules 
which were to be rigidly enforced. No visiting between cars, 
no yelling from windows, no information to be given as to 
what unit we belonged, where we were from, or where we 
were going. 

La Grande was our first stop for exercise. Companies left 
the cars at the sound of assembly and were treated to a short 
hike, well seasoned with double time. This schedule was 

[15] 



The 364th F. H. 

repeated several times each day during the entire trip. Oc- 
casionally, after the hike, we were permitted to converse 
with the natives for a few minutes before being herded into 
the cars. Stops were made at Huntington, Oregon ; Mont- 
pelier, Idaho; Green River, Wyoming; Sidney and Grand 
Island, Nebraska. At North Platte, Nebraska, the company 
stood muster. The Red Cross served coffee and sandwiches 
at Clinton, Iowa. Stops were made at West Chicago, Chicago, 
Kent, Ohio, and Salamanca, New York. At 8:30 in the even- 
ing of July 2, as we were preparing to re-entrain after march- 
ing through the streets of this town, one of a bevy of girls 
— out in quest of romance — was heard, whimsically and a 
little reproachfully, to say: "You boys from the West are 
slow." And they pressed in upon us as though to restrain 
us from leaving at once. But against these snares and pit- 
falls we had been enjoined by Captain Monroe (who was in 
charge of the company enroute. Major Colbert having gone 
ahead with Hart Browne two weeks before as debarkation 
officer in England), to beware. Said he: ''You will prob- 
abl3^ find that some of the girls along the way will want to 
be loved more than you will." Stops were also made at 
Port Jarvis, Pennsylvania, and Suffern, New York. At the 
latter place Red Cross women handed out cookies, chocolates, 
cocoa and cigarettes. 

CAMP MERRITT 

On the evening of July 3, we arrived at Camp Merritt, 
where we were quartered in barracks until the 11th. Passes 
were available the day after our arrival and each man h<)u 
several opportunities to visit New York. 

Our clothing was tlioroughly examined by Lieutenant 
Brooke, and his husky grip proved many articles to be un- 
serviceable. After the outfitting began, we were kept going 
day and night — and all hours of the night — until it was 
finished. Some of the boys wasted hours trying to make 
their lower limbs look trim and shapely in the new issue 
of wrap puttees; but for general efficiency no one couid 
excel Leonard Kaufman. 

Though required to turn in our russet shoes before being 
issued the trench shoes, the boys deferred as long as possible, 
in order to have the lighter footwear for a neater appearance 
on the streets of New York. A few made the trip after ex- 

[16] 



New York 

changing. As they walked along Fifth Avenue shod in 
horseshoe heel and hob-nail sole, making a racket like the 
wooden sabot of the native of that country to which they 
were going, many a curious glance was directed at their 
pedal extremities. This scrutiny, keenly felt at the time, was 
endured with a new grace on our return from overseas when, 
in their service shoes, the}'' trod the selfsame streets. But 
in each case the glance askance was observed to cover the 
same sector of the anatomy. 

Reveille sounded at 3 :30 A. M. of the 11th, and soon 
after mess the march for Alpine Landing was started. This 
was our initiation into the Grand Lodge of Secret Army 
Orders. No one knew where we were going. The entire 
Sanitary Train and part of the 364th Infantry boarded a 
ferry boat, which was several sizes too small, and started 
down the Hudson. Our destination proved to be Pier No. 
59, New York, where we immediately embarked on the 
"Olympic" and were stowed away on D deck. 

GOOD-BYE BROADWAY 

At 9:15 A. M. on the morning of the 12th, there was a 
prolonged hoarse blast from the throat of the steamer, seem- 
ing to last several minutes. Hurrying officers ordered: 
"Stand back and stand fast !" As we stood fast, facing out- 
ward, the adjacent pier was seen to be slowly receding. We 
were moving! The A. E. F. had acquired a most efficient 
field hospital. 

No wonder the men of 364 Avere strangely still. A new 
epoch seemed opening up before us. Minds were busy with 
thoughts in retrospect, mingled with those of prospect, as to 
the future heavily freighted with possibilities, with un- 
certainty. All seemed shrouded in mystery. It is at such 
moments that the soul of man cries out against his limitations. 
He reaches out into the blackness of infinite space, groping, 
clutching, inquiring. No answering contact rewards. His 
hand returns to him void. The veil remains. We must wait. 
Thus slowly, very quietly we drifted, as if impelled by some 
hidden, inevitable impulse, past that image standing as 
guardian of our liberties, for the perpetuation of which we 
were now moving outward toward the glassy sea. And over 
all the palpable, brooding spell of hush. Not one disputed 
its sovereignty. 

[17] 



The 364th F. H. 

After passing the outer buoy our pilot left us, bidding 
us "good-bye and good luck." Our escort, consisting of a 
dirigible, two hydroplanes and a destroyer, dropped out one 
by one until, at nightfall, the destroyer only remained. The 
morning of the second day it was gone. But the six-inch 
guns and speed of the ''Olympic" were considered ample 
protection. 

When well out to sea, our course was changed to a 
southerly direction. This course was followed until out of 
the supposed path of the submarines when we again headed 
East, leaving a zigzag trail in our wake throughout the 
entire distance. A sharp lookout was kept for submarines, 
the gunners standing by the guns. Sometimes objects were 
apparently sighted which promptly developed into phantoms, 
and the excitement, rapidly welling high in anticipation of 
action, subsided as it grew. So far as is known, not a sub- 
marine was sighted. 

The third day out (Sunday evening), Herbert Hoover 
made an address on "The Conservation of Food." As our 
mess was conducted by the British, further conservation on 
our part was hardly necessary or possible. The speech was 
adding insult to injury. Gathered there under the pale 
moon, on the towering deck of the giant steamer, 892 feet 
in length, the dull throbbing roar of her engines but faintly 
heard at that distance, it was hard for us to realize, as the 
voices of the Red Cross nurses blended with those of the men 
in the singing of hymns, the concerto effect floating out on 
the soft summer air, that it was to war we were going and 
not attending a roof garden party. 

The voyage was uneventful, with virtually no seasickness. 
Exercise was provided mainly by boat drills and running on 
the promenade deck ; although the mania of the duty officers 
to clear decks kept us moving continually. Being an abso- 
lute quotation, the slogan, "You can't sit here. You can't 
stand here. You can't stay here," first drew breath of life 
early in the passage, receiving its baptism of immortality. 

Blue denims and life preservers were the prescribed cos- 
tume for enlisted men. After several hours in the ship's 
brig. Sergeant Hershner decided he was no exception to the 
rule. Officers, of course, wore nothing over their uniforms, 
not even life preservers. Some of the boys suggested that 
possibly they would not sink. As officers had the privilege of 

[18] 



On the "Olympic" 

conversing with the Red Cross nurses, of whom there were 
several hundred on board, and the enlisted men had not that 
privilege, the former were often fixed with many an evil 
eye. The nurses favored with nature's kindest benediction — 
charm, became at once the cynosure for those officers iu 
whose thought the sly little urchin with the quiver, bow and 
arrows held hegemonic sway. The pulchritude was promptly 
snapped up and lacked not for entertainment; while her less 
favored sister, torn between conflicting thoughts, muttered 
platitudes and moistened her pillow\ 

The first boat drill caused some excitement. The short, 
quick, continuous blasts from the hoarse throat of the ves- 
sel, like some gigantic creature startled at the sudden dis- 
covery of an enemy, giving the alarm and marshaling for 
battle ; the wild sounding call of many bugles ; the shouting 
orders of officers; the confusion of rushing men, some of 
whom thought we were surrounded by submarines, the im- 
agination conjuring manj^ possibilities; the pallid cheek of 
nurses, the forward inclination of their bodies denoting weak- 
ness as they strove to hurry, but making little headway — all 
composed a picture memory still retains. 

At night the outer panels of the decks were closely drawn 
to preclude the possibility of a spark of light being seen by 
a passing submarine. For the men who slept on deck these 
were long, toilsome nights, with nothing to relieve the 
monotony, save one night a lonely clarionetist somewhere 
out on the bow played — with a master hand — "I'm Sorry I 
Made You Cry," "Old Kentucky Home," "Old Black Joe" 
and others. There was something in the playing of that 
solitary musician, in his unique setting, that was altogether 
weird, which pulled mightily at the heartstrings, which 
brought a surge of recollections. Some there were who, under 
the influence of its enchanting spell, turned their faces to 
the bottom of the sea and gave themselves unreservedly to 
the luxury of sentimental feeling. 

On the morning of the 18th (seventh day), we were picked 
up by five destroyers, two of which criss-crossed our bow, 
one on our port, one on our starboard, and one zigzagged 
across our stern. This convoy of enemies to the submarine 
kept us close company until our arrival in the harbor next 
day. 



[19] 



The 364th F. H. 

SOUTHAMPTON 

At the shout of "land!" the chalky cliffs of the Isle of 
Wight were faintly visible through the fog. As we drifted 
slowly past, the lifting fog making the outlines more distinct, 
we contemplated the island with much speculation as to 
whether it appeared that day as it did during the days when 
Tennyson wrote, on that spot, the "Idyls of the King." 

While lightly grounded on a mud flat in the harbor for 
about four hours, we shed our life preservers and blue 
denims. Floating off at high tide we landed in Southampton 
harbor about 8 o'clock the evening of the 19th. Time, seven 
and one-half days — good time considering our zigzag course. 
Major Colbert, who had crossed several days in advance as 
debarkation officer in England, was standing on the pier as 
the "Olympic" drew alongside, and many were the shouts 
of greeting. 

That night there was not much sleeping done. Long 
lines of men were kept moving, unloading barracks bags until 
after midnight, and in the general bustle and confusion many 
did not spread their blankets, but flopped down in the most 
convenient place to finish out the morning. After breakfast 
and roll call, the company debarked, spending the day on the 
dock. As each man filed past he was given a facsimile copy 
of this letter, penned by the hand of King George : 

"Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British 
Isles welcome you on your -way to take your stand beside 
the armies of many nations now fighting in the Old World 
the great battle for human freedom. 

"The Allies will gain new heart and spirit in your com- 
pany. I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you 
and bid j^ou Godspeed on your mission. 

' ' Windsor Castle, GEORGE, R.I." 

"April, 1918. 

CROSSING THE CHANNEL 

At 4 o'clock we boarded the diminutive channel boat, 
"King Edward." All the men being stowed away in the 
hold, this craft seemed more akin to an exaggerated steam 
launch than any vessel built to ride the waves. Steaming 
back down the harbor, we anchored in the channel and 

[20] 




Captain Moiiioc 
Lieut. Vaiidei-boget 



C-'aptaiii C.irpei- 

Lieut. -Colonel Whiteoml) 

Lieut. -Colonel Strohni 



('ai»laiu Ki.eiin 
Lieut. -Colonel Mount 



English Channel 

waited for the darkness of night. After getting under way 
with all port holes closed, smoking banned, the one dim 
light in a remote, sheltered quarter burning like a taper by 
whose uncertain light the myriad forms prone, leaning, or 
grotesquely sprawled — two deep and sometimes three ; some 
sleeping, some too ill to sleep, some unable because of their 
cramped position, the dense vitiated air, and the weight of 
bodies; the scene suggested a detachment of soldiers, felled 
by a surprise gas attack, lying as they fall. To make one's 
way to the single flight of stairs leading up onto the deck 
was a hazardous undertaking. It was impossible to negotiate 
without treading on at least several. Some, however, when 
overtaken by the sickness, managed to make the deck, at the 
entrance to which a sergeant was posted who ordered ''Away 
back old man! Throw her away back!" Then began the 
tenuous navigation of that pitching, rolling, slippery deck, 
with a favorable wind. Some of these reached the rear in 
time ; but some who were unable to extricate themselves from 
their position were in sorry plight. Altogether it was a wild 
night on the channel. A few finding it more salubrious, sat 
on deck watching the indistinct outline and listening to the 
hiss of the rapidly moving water. A few yards distant on 
either side bulked the dim outlines of two grim spectres, keep- 
ing silent vigil. Not a spark was seen. An odd companion- 
ship was felt in the presence of these destroyers with the 
protection they gave. At length, while it was yet dark, they 
were seen to drop to the rear and take a definite position as 
if anchored. At that moment our course was suddenly 
changed, our speed cut down, and we were entering the 
harbor at Cherbourg, having again outwitted and eluded 
the submarine. 

CHERBOURG 

Our first view of Prance came with debarkation at day- 
light when the five-mile hike to an English rest camp at 
Tourlaville began. The white, stone buildings of quaint 
architecture, the odd looking streets with here and there a 
group of shabby children, all in black, giving us warm wel- 
come as they smiled into our faces, some taking us by the 
hand, scampering along by our side or holding out their 
hands, calling "pennies, pennies," their English vocabulary 
being limited to this one word. The spectacle of these French 

[21] 



The 364th F. H. 

children, poorly clad and with insufficient food, many of 
them orphaned, brought home to us that day as we marched 
through the streets of Cherbourg, the lesson of the war as 
the great, cruel cancer gnawing at the heart of Prance. 
Though we had but landed, the results were already ap- 
parent. Occasionally an elderly woman, bareheaded, shod 
with wooden sabots, meeting us with downcast eyes or 
averted face, dashed away a tear as the company marched on, 
leaving her with her memories. Or a young widow, her pale, 
dark-eyed beauty partially veiled by her weeds, stood quietly 
till we should pass; but with an impassive, far-away look, 
hardly appearing to notice. She, too, had her story. 

Beaching the outskirts of the city the tall French carts, 
big enough to accommodate the whole family, were met com- 
ing in to church — for it was Sunday morning. 

By the time the company arrived at the camp everybody 
had worked up a good sweat. This was because the road was 
a gentle gradient — and part not so gentle — the entire way ; 
also the head of the column (as usual) seemed in a hurry 
to get there. This made the shorter men in the rear of the 
column — and from there to the front with consistently dimin- 
ishing speed — increase cadence and speed in order to keep up. 
This was true with all of our hikes. 

The white, octagonal tents of this English rest camp, of 
which there were several thousand, were situated in a large 
space covering many acres, which was divided into compart- 
ments by hedges, the whole being surrounded by a tall hedge. 
While waiting two hours to be assigned to quarters, some 
of the boys, overcome by fatigue and loss of sleep, flopped 
down upon the greensward and soon were tightly in the 
embrace of Morpheus. Others, thinking more of their health, 
stood or moved about feeling cold and clammy. Though 
under the unobstructed rays of a midsummer day's sun, the 
air, to us in our condition, had the tang of bleak December. 

The hike had brought confidence to our legs and stomachs 
again, but in vain. Again the English had control of our 
rations, and during our five-day sojourn here our stomachs 
were the only portion of our anatomy that rusted. Com 
beef and hardtack was the menu and not enough of that to 
keep soul and body together. So strict was the embargo 
that a food riot was the usual thing aJmost every day, the 
commissary coming off second best. 

[22] 



St. Nazaire 

In this camp Albert Goodrich contracted scarlet fever, 
his tentmates, J. Carroll, Longpre, Ludlow, Griswold and 
Crofton were quarantined and dropped from the roster. 

Some rivalry developed among the boys as to who was 
the best container in this, their first experience with French 
wine. Said the British: "Drink all you want; but if you 
can't 'old it, don't drink it." 

J. Vranizan, the obstreperous, distinguished himself by 
breaking camp one night, jumping over the hedge, eluding 
the guard and making his way to town, so loud for him was 
the call of Bacchus. But he was caught by a British sentry 
on his return and thrown into the guard house. The next 
day he was released; but a sentence of thirty days hard 
labor was imposed. That is why Vranizan w^as on every 
detail during the next thirty days. Weeks later an official 
communication of British origin, embellished with many 
signatures, found its way to General Headquarters and 
finally filtered down to the company commander, inquiring 
if the sentence had been executed. 

ST. NAZAIRE 

July 25, Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds decided to move. 
At 18 o'clock and 40 minutes (6:40 P. M.), we shouldered 
packs, hiked back to Cherbourg and entrained in box cars. 
This was our first tenancy of these cars with capacity 
hommes 40, cheveaux 8, and as a novelty soon passed away. 
In disposing ourselves for the night, the main difficulty was 
in finding space for our feet. In making extension of these 
heavy, iron shod extremities, aromatic from the hike, noth- 
ing was more certain than that an upturned face, conven- 
iently near and apparently there for the sole purpose, 
received the full benefit of a direct hit. This was registered 
in various ways, depending on the disposition, temperament 
and volubility of the one registering. But we lay down (some 
of us), to dream, perchance to sleep. We thought mostly, 
dreamed some and slept little. With the vortex of impreca- 
tions that swirled upward like unhallowed incense before the 
throne, supplication mingled curiously — imprecation because 
of present stress, supplication that it might be the last ; and 
the song accompaniment of the cars, ''bundy, bundy, bundy," 
in rhythmic cadence keeping time to the sleep of those who 
slept. 

[23] 



The 364th F. H. 

The next day passing through the rich, agricultural sec- 
tion of Northern Prance, the peasants were harvesting their 
wheat in the primitive manner of their forefathers, modern 
labor saving machines being almost unknown among these 
people. The work, for an obvious reason, was being per- 
formed by old men, women and boys who were bearing up 
under the "burden and heat of the day" with a morale 
typical of the soul of France. Already we were beginning 
to observe the oustanding quality of the French people — 
the power to resist, the power to endure — a succession of 
wars through the centuries making it an essential part of 
their moral fibre and entering into their very bone and sinew. 

At LeMons, Barendrick and Thompson strayed too far 
away and the train pulled out leaving them there. This fact, 
becoming known to Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, resulted 
in a tightening of discipline. 

Arriving at St. Nazaire early in the morning of the 27th, 
we hiked to Camp No. 1 before breakfast and went into bar- 
racks ; though, as compared with our barracks in this country, 
they could hardly be dignified by that title. They were long, 
one-story buildings with tar-paper roof and earthen floor, a 
row of double-deck bunks extending the length of the build- 
ing on either side. The principal utility of the upper berth 
consisted in shaking down straw, dirt and rubbish onto the 
bunk beneath, filling the eyes and mouth of the occupant, 
thereby constituting a prolific source of profanity. Or if 
the lower had been arranged with infinite care for inspection, 
it was the plain duty of the occupant of the upper berth to 
plant his foot, in making the ascent, just where the damage 
woiild be greatest. 

The next day (though Sunday, it was the same as any 
other day) half of the company was detailed for warehouse 
work. We now understood what the colored boys, standing 
by the wayside as interested spectators the morning before 
as we came in, meant when they said: ''We'll have some 
more help now." Warehouse detail, road work and drill was 
the daily grind. Coming in from work, warm and dusty, 
it was a welcome recreation to march down for a swim in the 
cooling waters of the Bay of Biscay. This was a daily event. 
One day Sheeley (called the ''Rouge Corporale" by the ma- 
demoiselle) became detached from the rest of the boys while 
in the water and was not accounted for at roll call before 

[24] 



St. Nazaire 

starting back for camp. He was last seen well out in the 
water, and knowing him to be of a daring, reckless disposi- 
tion, though a powerful swimmer, the boys feared the worst 
and in their hearts began to say for him a potential requiem 
as they marched back, rather more silent than usual. How- 
ever, as we were eating our supper (gritty with the dust 
blown across the parade ground), Sheeley appeared — smiling. 
He had embarked on a little private exploration of the bay, 
and thus absorbed, was oblivious to the passing of time. 

The 1st of August was marked bj^ an inspection by Gen- 
eral Pershing. Passes to the city were dealt with customary 
impartiality. On these occasions banquets were the rule 
and French liquor, of course, was easily obtained. Lack 
of space prevents enumerating those who succumbed to the 
wiles and guiles of J. Barleycorn and came back to camp 
in a pitiable condition. It would merely be a repetition 
of the company roster. One or two of the boys who occupied 
upper berths succeeded in finding the barracks, but had diffi- 
culty in locating their bunks. After receiving necessary 
assistance they sometimes made the night uncomfortable for 
their neighbor beneath, who, upon arising in the morning, 
found his shoes and clothing in a deplorable condition. 

A UNIQUE LETTER 

About the first of August some ingenious member of the 
company evolved the brilliant idea of writing an autograph 
letter to Earl R. Goodwin, whom we had left behind in the 
O. T. C. It was written on tissue paper and nearly all of 
the company sent some message or word of greeting. With 
gradually increasing length it went the rounds and by the 
time the last man had signed it had grown to a length of 
about eight feet. The Portland newspapers called it "the 
longest letter ever written. That this unique remembrance 
from his comrades over the sea received its full mead of 
appreciation was shown by subsequent letters to different 
members of the company, as well as by the fact that it is 
today being preserved by ''Honey" as a souvenir de guerre. 
Moreover, it shall ever be a never-failing aid in keeping 
green for 364 memories of St. Nazaire. 



[25] 



The 364th F. H. 

HOOKED FOR NOT SHAVING 

From Train Headquarters had come the warning: *'I 
will give 364 one more chance to co-operate with me." 
Several things had occurred which, while trivial and unim- 
portant, had served to increase the disfavor into which 
the company had fallen with the Commander^of the Sanitary 
Train — a disfavor that, from the beginning, had its origin 
in a senseless prejudice. While offenses, errors, imperfec- 
tions might be condoned or even overlooked in other 
companies, they never failed to be noted in 364 — and 
remembered: and with each succeeding imaginary offense, 
that disfavor accumulated momentum and power that 
eventuated in this utterance hinting darkly of dire things 
to come. To illustrate : From headquarters came the ukase 
that every man should appear in line the next morning 
clean shaven. Different interpretations were placed on 
this by different men. While some men are clean shaven 
the day after shaving, others are not. Some having already 
performed the depilatory operation, and whose faces would 
not bear a second scraping the next day without getting 
sore, appeared in line clean shaven, as they thought, like they 
had done countless times before. As the company stood at 
attention one of the officers came down the line, the top 
sergeant accompanying the inspection and taking the names 
of the men as they were indicated. At the close of the 
inspection these names were read, the men ordered to fall 
out and each in his turn required to explain to the officer 
why he did not shave that morning. This trivial incident 
was merely an attempt on the part of Lieutenant Colonel 
Reynolds, in whose bad graces we were, to discipline the 
men of 364. The displacing of Captain Monroe as temporary 
commander of the company, by Lieutenant Brooke, and his 
subsequent transfer, was in accord with the colonel 's general 
policy and antagonistic attitude toward the company. 

HIKE TO LE BEAUX 

The hike to Le Beaux, a summer resort on the beach, 
was, to us, like the cooling oasis to the parched traveler. 
It was made by all the companj^ except the K. Ps., sergeant 
of quarters and a few on sick report. 

This resort, one of the scenic beaches of the world, af- 

[26] , 



St. Nazaire 

forded, by way of variety, opportunity for meeting new 
and more classy mademoiselles — for illusion was ever busy — 
as well as lunch in the shade of the trees and the daily swim. 

EVENING CONCERTS 

Concerts outside the barracks in the evening after supper 
were a means of self-entertainment and a morale strength- 
ener. Violins, clarionets and guitars were brought together 
from other companies as well as our own, in numbers 
sufficient to form a young orchestra. The melodies that 
poured from the human throat, whether in solo or chorus, 
were enough to cause the heart of the comely mademoiselle 
to pause in clinging adoration under the thrall of its se- 
ductive spell. 

SICK REPORT 

The four weeks' stay at St. Nazaire was characterized 
mainly by the prevalence of diarrhea, every man having 
been afflicted with it. The cause had been the subject of 
much attention and research by the combined personnel 
of the medical men of the sanitary train, but without success. 
Every available clew was traced to its source, but, in the 
end, the man of science was left with only his guess — 
nothing conclusive. The mess was watched, both as to 
quality and preparation of food; the water was boiled and 
chlorinated ; sanitary conditions were made the best possible 
under the circumstances. But the epidemic raged in spite 
of all that could be done, including consumption of vast 
quantities of bismuth. We were told in a lecture by Captain 
Monroe that had it not been for our prophylactic injections 
at Camp Lewis, practically the entire command should prob- 
ably have been ill of t3T)hoid. 

The general feeling that with a change of locality would 
come better conditions of health proved to be correct. 

OFF FOR THE FRONT 

On the 24th day of August we entrained in third-class 
coaches and began the step-by-step process of moving up 
to the front. During a three-day trip we passed through 
Nantes, Angers, Tours, Bourges, Nevers, Dijon and Is-sur- 
Tille, arriving at Meuse on the evening of the 27th. 

While there was nothing palatial about these cars, they 

[27] 



The 364th F. H. 

were a grand improvement over the box cars in which we 
had been transported thus far over French terrain. With 
five or six men in each compartment, there was room enough 
to lie down at night without the blissful experiences of that 
other journey. Verily, could it be said of us, we lay down 
to sleep. 

At Is-sur-Tille an army of Boche prisoners were unloading 
dirt from flat cars and wheeling it away. While waiting 
here a few hours, *' Slick" Meyers was detailed by Dave 
Rodgers to get some water, thereby further incurring the 
disfavor of Colonel Reynolds, who detected him in the act, 
and the whole company was in "Dutch." Though the men 
of other companies had been guilty of the same offense, 
the Colonel's eagle eye being trained on 364, we were 
summarily called to account. For this flagrant crime the 
entire company was confined to the cars — strictly and abso- 
lutely — for the remainder of the trip. 

MONTIGNY-LE-ROI 

The night was spent in pup tents. The next day the field 
hospital marched to Montigny-le-Roi and billeted in houses 
and barns. A contigent of the company was quartered over 
a wine-cellar, where the thirst-producing aroma ever rose 
to greet the waiting nostril — to greet and tantalize. But 
in the circumstances it had the effect merely to stimulate 
the traffic. 

Major Colbert, Hart Browne and the men who had been 
left in quarantine at Tourlaville were there to greet us and 
happy was the reunion. 

At this juncture Lieutenant Sehilt was transferred to the 
infantry. 

The company was here outfitted with gas masks. While 
light wines with little detail and gas drill did much to 
refresh us, on the first of September a thirty-two kilometer 
hike with full packs proved that war was not all pleasure. 

This was a strenuous hike. Starting at noon, we hiked 
till about 5 o'clock. After pitching pup tents and getting 
settled for the night, word came down the line that the 
problem had been changed. Simultaneously came the order 
to "strike tents" and, amid much crabbing, the return 
march was begun. We thought much throughout the hot 
afternoon as to why this shoulder-sinking, soul-getting hike 

[28] 



MONTIGNY LE Roi 

was required of us. We had negotiated many long hikes 
away back at Camp Lewis (but not in this heavy marching 
order) and, as a necessary training adjunct, it failed of 
appreciation. Not until about sundown, when a halt was 
made and while waiting by the wayside for supper, did this 
solution to the problem come : They walked us, and they 
walked us, while the sw^eat ran down over the ridge of our 
beaks to enrich the already fertile soil of France; they 
walked us in order that our clothing might become saturated. 
in order that we might dry it on our bodies. And, waiting 
by the roadside while the chill air of evening came stealing 
over us, our nether garments stuck to our persons and we 
began to feel cold and clammy. At last ! we had solved the 
vexing problem. We got back to billets a little after mid- 
night, staggeringly tired. 

The next few days found us occupied at Meuse handling 
food and ammunition, also a tank car of wine intended for 
the French. All excess baggage, including extra uniform, 
was salvaged and barracks bags taken away. 

The "Y" hut was a popular resort not only for American 
soldiers but also for the Poilus who were home on leave, and 
the female population as well — especially at cinema time in 
the evening, when they would fill the place to overflowing, 
the women crowding their way to the front as though it 
was an ordinary and proper thing to do. 

THE BEER BOTTLE SALUTE 

The outstanding feature of the life at Montigny-le-Roi 
was the saluting. We had been thoroughly trained in sa- 
luting, but now a new brand was introduced, called the 
*'beer bottle" salute. It was executed with chin well in 
air, eyes cast skyward and lolling. Under normal condi- 
tions, failure to salute would be overlooked by an officer, 
circumstances mitigating; but at this place saluting had 
to be done under all circumstances and at every turn. From 
seeking to avoid this military duty whenever justifiable, 
the boys turned to looking for opportunities to salute. They 
took no chances. They saluted here, they saluted there, they 
saluted everywhere. If they did not they were ''called." 
The situation resolved itself into a contest for testing the 
durability of the right arm. As the boys walked down 
the street, cutting the air like automatons, they took comfort 

[29] 



The 364th F. H. 

in the knowledge that the Sam Brownes, being outnumbered, 
were handicapped. This gave them a thrill. Everybody 
said Montigny was the ''nuts" place to salute. Perhaps 
the abundance of the beverage that cheered was not without 
its decisive influence in the matter. But it was noted that 
this abnormal salute — with its abnormal demand — did not 
persist beyond this town. 

MAIL 

Mail was received at irregular intervals. The first small 
consignment followed closely upon our arrival at St. Nazaire. 
By the time we left there all but two of the boys had had 
at least one letter from home. Mark this scene : It has now 
been six weeks since our arrival overseas. The shout of 
"mail" causes as much excitement as a gas alarm did later. 
There is a mad scramble as running men converge from 
every quarter toward a common center. The knot of hu- 
manity swells as the alarm spreads, until all in the vicinity 
have heard and obeyed the impulse. Tensely they listen to 
the voice as it drones the names of the fortunate, the 
recipients eagerly seizing the packet, scanning the old, fa- 
miliar hand. The thrill of glory he feels rising within his 
breast, pervading his entire being, is hardly akin to anything 
of earth, and his morale at once rises fully 100 per cent. 
But look again. Here is one with downcast, lack-luster eye 
and drooping shoulders, as with hands in pockets he moves 
with flagging step, lingering on the outskirts of the crowd — 
without hope. The droning abruptly ceases as the last name 
is called. The knot falls apart. 

"How many letters did you get, Bill?" 

"Didn't get any." 

"I got six." And on he went, too absorbed in his own 
good luck for even a thought of sympathy or word of con- 
solation for Bill. Though some have received more than 
their share. Bill generously tries to glory in their good 
fortune, remaining silent as to his own lack of it. But, 
incidentally, his morale is at a low ebb. This, to himself, 
he does not deny. He wonders vaguely. Blindly he gropes 
for the reason until, lost in the maze of fear, doubt and 
uncertainty, he at length abandons the thought — this para- 
lyzer of activity, of incentive to act — resolving to hope anew 
and to hope on. 

[30] 



Bonnet 

No wonder letters were received ''like a million dollars.*' 
It was forcibly brought home to us many times while trying 
to do our bit in the land of the Hun, where we were 
learning to think straight, that if the folks at home but 
knew how important letters were as a factor in promoting 
the morale of the army, they surely would not only have 
written more, but would have influenced others, who possibly 
did not write at all, to write. Thus more fully should they 
have done their bit. 

BONNET 

September 6th we plodded twenty-three weary kilometers 
through the rain to Toulain, where we entrained in box cars, 
arriving at Houdelain Court the next morning. Part of the 
company was left here for several days on detail, the rest 
proceeding to Bonnet. This was about the dingiest town 
in France that it was our lot to billet in, likewise the dirtiest; 
cows, hogs, chickens and ducks ran at will, mingling in 
the streets with rain and barnyard juices. This place will 
be remembered for gas drill in the orchard, and the loud, 
insistent call to prayer of the deep-toned church bell on the 
hill. 

On the evening of the 10th we rolled packs and hiked 
until daylight. Although we did not know it until later, 
we were moving up as reserves for the St. Mihiel drive. The 
day (rainy) was spent in pup tents in the woods. In the 
evening we broke camp and marched until 1 :00 A. M. in a 
drenching rain, when the order to pitch tents was given. 
Then problem after problem arose ; a mad scramble for 
the few level places, calling for old tentmates, and useless 
efforts to keep the contents of packs dry while erecting the 
shelter halves were a few of the troubles of the crack field 
hospital organized in far away Portland. Lieutenant Koehn 
showed his dexterity and originality by putting up his tent 
unaided, but not without loss of his usual sunny disposition. 
In addition, as he was going over an embankment, he slipped 
and fell into the mud. ruining his uniform and losing his 
glasses. 

Sleep, under the circumstances, was about as seemly 
as wisdom for the fool. We sat in our pup tents, kept 
as dry as possible — though nothing was dry — and thought 
of the delicious cocoa we would make and the good things 

[31] 



The 364th F. H. 

we would have to eat (a sharp craving for which we then 
had) when again permitted to stick our feet under mother's 
table ; listened to the music of our batteries murmuring 
"Oh — h! Oh — h!" as though making moan for the havoc 
they were working. To us came the assurance that to Fritz 
this barrage was more terrible than melancholy, and there 
stole over us a unique feeling of camaraderie for the guns 
out there, acting, as it were, as our mighty spokesman, 
speaking the word of finality that should be heard even unto 
Berlin. And hearing, those that heard should fear and quake. 
Daylight was more than welcome, even though we had 
to roll packs and sit in the rain. That night, after supper, 
news reached us of the victory of our boys at St. Mihiel, 
a large number of prisoners being taken. Then there was 
much shouting and everybody was jubilant. For some myste- 
rious reason the rain stopped, and, though blankets were 
still far from dry, the news of this victory so strengthened 
our morale that this discomfort was borne with the greater 
fortitude. The next day, while tucked away in these woods, 
a flock of 131 planes passed overhead at a great height, in 
regular formation, videttes outflung, appearing at that dis- 
tance like a veritable flock of migratory Canadian honkers 
in spring, whose course is Northward, ever Northward. 
These allied planes were bearing a course taking them over 
the lines. 

VAVINCOURT 

That afternoon we hiked a short distance to Void. A 
truck train, driven by Chinese coolies of the French com- 
mand, conveyed us to Vavincourt during the night. This 
was one more night of sleep deferred. The trucks were 
fitted with a board on either side, upon which we sat, with 
our packs piled in the center. The vision of this night is 
one of bobbing, nodding, swaying heads, bodies mostly in 
an upright position, though, in some cases, depending on 
their neighbor for support. Detrucking near Vavincourt 
about noon, the boys were marched upon the greensward 
and given a half hour's rest. Almost before the last man 
was down, the chorus of loud snoring that arose from that 
field of falling soldiers was such as to convey to the man 
of medicine the diagnosis of general anesthesia of the entire 
command. But sleep, though sweet, was of short duration. 

[32J 



Vavincourt 

We marched into town, billeted and had breakfast at noon 
from a neighboring mess. 

More gas drill here. Also our first instruction in the 
art of dodging under trees or available cover at the approach 
of aeroplanes. For this purpose, as well as to note and 
report to what extent this taking to cover was being done, 
allied planes were appearing unexpectedly and hovering 
near. Here, as well as at St. Mihiel, flashes of the firing could 
be plainly seen on the Eastern horizon at night. 

A detail, left at Bonnet, rejoined the company here. 

ALL NIGHT HIKE FROM VAVINCOURT 

On the evening of September 16th we left Vavincourt 
and hiked all night, passing through Vaubecourt, Triacourt 
and Fleury, arriving at Rarecourt about 7 :00 A. M., footsore, 
weary and hungry, but with visions of a place — just any- 
where — to lay our heads and rest our aching bodies. After 
falling out for a few minutes we made the comforting dis- 
covery that we had toiled all night only to miss our objective 
by eight miles. But we moved on to the edge of town, 
climbed into an orchard and flopped down under the trees. 
Soon it began to rain. This stirred us up again. Just as we 
had fortified ourselves against the rain. Major Colbert came 
up, saying: "Come now, boys, we must be going." Stung 
again! Orders were to proceed up the road in groups of not 
more than eight men, at intervals of two hundred yards, 
for we were now within the patrol of Boche planes. After 
covering about two miles in this formation, going very slowly, 
with frequent pauses to rest (for in addition to the all 
night hike, we had eaten nothing since the evening before) 
we were overtaken at 11 :00 o'clock by a truck loaded with 
coffee, bully beef, bread, tomatoes and syrup! This was a 
veritable case of the good Samaritan — on a big scale. These 
men, belonging to a machinist company with quarters near 
the road, seeing us pass and guessing our plight, had thrown 
supplies from their own kitchen into a truck and hastened 
to our relief. It was about the whitest act it was ours to 
witness in our whole overseas experience. The reviving 
effect was immediate. Soon we were overtaken by trucks 
which carried us to some w^oods where we rested until 
evening. 

At this time Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds and Major 

[33] 



The 364th F. H. 

Dowdahl were relieved as train commander and director 
of field hospitals, respectively, and replaced by Major Berry 
and Major Strohm. 

Decided signs of shell fire marked some of the town 
through which we had recently passed and several air battles 
indicated that we were not far distant from the front. 

After an early supper, packs were hastily rolled and we 
were again on our way. Though ignorant as to the time of 
the impending drive, all felt confident that very soon it 
was to be launched and everybody was eager to be in it. 
Continuing the hike, we brought up in a clump of woods 
about midnight and retired, as usual, in pup tents for a 
few hours' rest. Before 6:00 the next morning Major 
Dowdahl was thundering at our doors : "Get up, boys. This 
is no holiday!" 

FOREST DE HESSE 

That evening, September 20, Major Colbert called the 
company together, and, while gathered 'round, he said in 
a confidential tone: ''Now, men, tonight we are going right 
up where the fireworks are. I want to warn you, every 
man, to be on his guard. No loud talking, no smoking at 
night. Don't stray away from the company. Don't venture 
to the edge of the woods, for you are sure to be seen by 
the enemy. One place I want to warn you about in par- 
ticular. That is a point known as ''Dead Man's Curve." 
The enemy's guns are trained on this all the time and no 
man who has dared to show himself there has come back. 
And remember this: whatever happens, don't, under any 
circumstances, allow yourself to be taken prisoner." 

As soon as it was dark we set out over a road in range 
of the Boche guns. In about an hour the word was quietly 
passed down the line that a company preceding us had been 
gassed on the road about a mile ahead, and the order was 
given to examine gas masks, make sure they were in proper 
condition, carry them at the alert position, and in case of an 
attack to fall out at the right of the road. Clermont 
was passed without event, but a short distance farther the 
whizz of a shell was heard and the bang about half a mile 
behind. It was our first shell and the subject of conversation 
for some time. 

Towards morning we reached the Forest-de-Hesse and 

[34] 



Brabant 

made camp. During the next few days we had the pleasure 
of several gas alarms and, although Gregory swore he 
smelled gas, nobody else suffered any ill effects. Occasion- 
ally a shell passed over us in both directions. One moonlight 
night a Boche plane, flying low, mistook a pile of cordwood, 
a few feet from the edge of the wood and not more than 
200 yards from where w^e, were, for a company of soldiers 
and opened fire, raking it with machine gun lead. 

BRABANT 

With a steady diet of ''tin willy," everybody was glad 
when, on the night of the 24th, we moved out of this death 
trap to Brabant. Ward tents were erected and a shelled 
building was cleaned out for use as a surgery. 

The detail left at Haudelaincourt rejoined the company 
here. 

During the next two days, a Boche gunner, from a dis- 
tance of four and a half miles, amused himself by sending 
over installments from his 77, at half -hour intervals. Though 
he apparently had the range, most of his offerings were 
going over by a few yards or falling short, due to our 
unique location on the slope of the hill. 

A major, alighting from a car on the afternoon of the 
25th, was standing in the road conversing with three other 
officers, when a shell from this gun burst, wounding the 
major so severely that he died in a few hours. Not realizing 
that he was mortally wounded, the major thanked us for our 
efficient work. This was the first casualt}' to receive treat- 
ment at our surgery. 

The gun made it interesting for us, but on the third day 
it was captured by the Americans. 

BATTLE OF THE ARGONNE 

At 11:30 P. M. of September 25th the heavy, long-range 
guns opened fire on the German lines. The bombardment 
grew in intensity until 2:30 A. M., when all the corps and 
divisional artillery went into action. Not even those who 
were present can adequately describe that bombardment. 
A battery of heavy guns located at the brow of the hill just 
above us did their duty, and there was no sleep for 364 that 
night. The concussion, even at that distance, was terrific. 
It rocked the foundations of earth and shook the heart 

[35] 



The 364rH F. H. 

within the breast. Although several miles behind the lines, 
the noise was deafening, but thrilling. The line of artillery 
was marked by a constant sheet of flame, making livid the 
entire Eastern horizon. At 6 :00 A. M. the barrage lifted and 
our infantry began the advance that shall never be forgotten 
— the mighty advance of the great Argonne offensive, the 
greatest battle the world has ever known. 

Our hospital was designated as a triage, or sorting station. 
Here the patient was given whatever first aid was deemed 
necessary and (unless he had previously had it) his anti- 
tetanus prophylaxis. Minor wounds were bandaged and, in 
case the patient was able, he was returned to duty. Severe 
wounds were given temporary treatment, such as stopping 
hemorrhage and immobilizing fractures. The patient was 
then sent to the evacuation or base hospital, depending on 
the severity of the wound. 

At 9:45 A. M. we received our first patients, and from 
that time on no man could be accused of shirking. As the 
machine gun nest was the main portion of the Boche defense, 
the majority of the wounds were bullet wounds. The flow 
of the wounded was continuous, our only rest coming during 
occasional blockades of the roads. It would be vain to 
attempt to describe the hundreds of cases that passed 
through our triage during the early days of the drive. Some 
were fairly riddled with bullets, yet, through some myste- 
rious chance, still lived. Some with a single perforation, but 
in a vital spot, were mortally wounded. The majority of 
machine gun wounds were leg wounds, this being charac- 
teristic of that type of wound. Then there was the ugly, 
gaping shrapnel wound, produced by fragments of shell. 
Some of our boys, desperately wounded, weak from loss of 
blood, suffering and exposure, called repeatedly for 
''mother." It was heartrending. With the continuous pro- 
cession of litter-borne wounded, there was a waiting list 
much of the time. Once during the rush a wounded Boche 
was placed on the table, when some our boys were lying 
there ; but the error was quickly detected by Sergeant Mad- 
ison, in charge of the surgery, who sternly ordered: ''Take 
that fellow off there and put one of our own men on." 

The surgery corps worked with feverish haste in the 
sickening sweet atmosphere of American blood — the finest 
that ever was spilled — worked with a haste that made the 

[361 



J 




^^*5 25^2 



Geneial ]'ershin<i- and ^Major General Johnston after a confei'ence, 
the flav l)eforp tlie Argonne offensive 



Cheppy Wood 

head swim and the back ache, until the surgery, with its 
accumulation of bandages and scraps of uniform, seemed 
a veritable shamble. But the men did not know weariness 
until a lull brought its realization. Never were we more 
forcibly impressed with the bigness of our task — not only 
ours but of the entire American army — and it seemed we 
were able to do so little. 

Regular mess for the wounded was almost impossible. 
Too much praise can not be given the Red Cross for their 
excellent system of providing cookies, hot cocoa and eating 
chocolate. 

The salvage dump of gas masks, slickers and general 
war paraphernalia in the cellar of the building grew to huge 
proportions. One man was detailed to this duty. 

The second day of the drive Boche prisoners began ar- 
riving from the lines. Most of them appeared to be glad 
of their capture, for it ended the fighting for them. They 
were being brought back in large numbers by our men. 
A Boche, slightly wounded, upon being questioned in the 
surgery, said: ''Oh, oh! I never dreamed anything could 
be so hot (referring to the barrage). Thank God, no more 
war." 

CHEPPY WOOD 

By October 1st the infantry had advanced so that our 
hospital was too far back to be efficient. All equipment was 
moved to Cheppy Wood, where the rest of the sanitary train 
had already erected tents and was handling casualties in 
large numbers. The rest of the day and that night 364 
relieved men of the other companies. 

The road leading up to Cheppy was full of shell holes 
and, in places, almost impassable, although a detail was at 
work on it. Following the natural contour of the land, it 
wound about between the elevations, in the side of which 
were the Oerman dugouts. The Boehes had utilized this 
natural advantage to entrench themselves in the strongest 
kind of entrenchments. 

These dugouts bore every indication of permanent ten- 
ancy. They were equipped with modern comforts and some 
of the luxuries of home. The occupants were not going to 
leave in a hurry. They had invaded the land, taken pos- 
session, had become imbued with the idea it belonged to thera. 

[37] 



The 364th F. H. 

They intended to keep it. But on that memorable morning 
of September 26th, 1918, they were stricken with mal de tete 
and took a sudden notion to move out. They moved out. 
Graphophones and other luxuries, once so indispensable, 
became at once easily dispensable. These they left behind. 
Other dugouts were bashed in or wiped out entirely. 

VERY 

The next day we received orders to proceed to Very. 
En route, the movement of trucks was seen by a Boche plane. 
In a few minutes their artillery was making our position very 
uncomfortable. Most of the men sought refuge in shell 
holes away from the road ; but Major Colbert caught a piece 
of flying shell in the wrist while seeking a hospital site. 
One of the boys was in a shell hole adjusting his gas mask 
when a voice at his back inquired, "Binzie! How the hell 
do you test for gas?" Looking around, he saw a pair of 
red puttees. The puttees belonged to Major Strohm. 

With shelling ahead of us, as well as in the road and 
going over, we felt that day as though we were going into 
the ''Valley of Death." Within the next few hours the 
company, assembled on the side hill near Very, having erected 
tents during an air raid, was receiving patients. 

At the time of our arrival, the front lines were approxi- 
mately a kilometer (% mile) distant, and we were working 
in a more advanced position than any other unit of the kind 
of which we have any record. With Boche artillery straf- 
ing the batteries of 75s on all sides of us, fortunately not 
a man of the company was injured. While here, Jordan 
and Krause were added to the roster. 

On the evening of the 4th, the 182nd Brigade, including 
the entire sanitary train, was retired from the line for a 
much needed rest. About midnight of the 3rd those not 
on duty had retired, when the Boches commenced shelling 
us, most of the shell hitting in front. Sergeant Hershner 
flew from pup tent to pup tent shouting, his voice vibrant 
with emotion : * ' 364 men ! We Ve got to get out of here ! 
Get your stuff together the best you can ! Make it snappy !" 
There was no moon and in the darkness, after much mussing 
and fussing and feeling about, packs were rolled — after a 
fashion. Then began the almost impossible task of taking 
down ward tents, hampered as we were by a network of 

[38] 



Gamp Pierre 

German wire that had been used to fasten camouflage; 
besides hospital equipment to be loaded on trucks. It 
seemed as though our hands were tied. Our feet were like 
lead. We would gather up an armful, start with it, stumble 
on something and go sprawling down hill — while the shells 
broke without ceasing. We seemed to make no progress. 
We moved like one in a dream — a hideous nightmare — get- 
ting nowhere, accomplishing nothing; but struggling, strug- 
gling with that we could not see. 

BACK TO CHEPPY 

At length it was done. An hour's hike back to Cheppy 
Wood and at 5:00 A. M. the warriors of 364 were "sitting 
prett.y" in the ward tents filled with wounded a few hours 
before. It was well we got away from that hillside at Very 
that night. The next day the site occupied by our hospital 
became a mass of shell-holes. 

CAMP PIERRE 

After two days' rest, during Avhich everj^body wrote 
home, telling how we did it and giving as much information 
as the censor would allow, we made a strenuous all-night 
hike to Camp Pierre, located near the town of Dombastle. 
For strenuosity this hike compared favorably with those 
that had gone before. Back through No Man's land we 
trekked, over the road that was notoriously rough. Miracu- 
lously, no broken ankles resulted. During the latter half 
of the night, when the company fell out for rest and when 
"fall in" was given, the officers had a steady job waking 
the men who had fallen asleep. 

The French barracks here were far from being equipped 
Avith the comforts of home; but the chickenwire bunks met 
with little criticism. Our kitchen failing to arrive until late 
afternoon, some of the boys ate their emergency rations, 
then flopped upon damp blankets until mess in the evening. 
But emergency or nothing, everybody flopped. 

At this juncture wild rumors began to float. Austria, 
long wear}^ of war, began to threaten to do what she had 
long wanted to do — lie down. This condition, with the con- 
tinued success of the Argonne offensive, gave rise to much 
speculation as to the possible proximity to the end of the 
war — a speculation which, like other events of importance, 

[391 



The 364th F. H. 

threw more francs into circulation. We had begun to see 
the end in the not distant future. 

REVIGNY 

After three days more of rest, the Sanitary Train moved 
through Cleremont and St. Menchold to Nettancourt. For 
once, fortune favored us and the entire company rode. The 
next day we moved by truck to the much-bombarded town 
of Revigny and were quartered in the barracks of Evacuation 
Hospital No. 15. The strain and exposure of the drive caused 
much sickness and our time here was occupied in operating 
a divisional hospital. Several members of 364 took advantage 
of sick call; but all recuperated in time to move with the 
company, with the exception of Sergeant Holbrook, our 
music master, Dore Baumgart, Corporal Sheeley and Fred 
Keying. 

October 13th the news of Germany ^s "acceptance" of 
President Wilson's peace terms brought a feeling of buoy- 
ancy and exhilaration. But the French, it was noted, did 
not catch the infection of our enthusiasm. Instead, they 
appeared stolid and glum. However, the next day, Ger- 
many's attitude being looked upon with suspicion, the order 
was reversed : the French on the streets appearing better 
pleased with this view; the Americans' joy had subsided. 
Peace was as remote as ever. 

October 15th there was an attempt at revival of Reveille. 
The attempt was a dismal failure, not more than half of 
the company turning out. Lieutenant Besson colored, smiled, 
looked at the ground and ordered the sergeant to dismiss 
the company. After one attempt it was abandoned. There 
were no penalties. 

Putting up and moving tents furnished amusement for 
the company during the last two days at Revigny. 

OFF FOR FLANDERS FIELDS 

October 17th was moving day. In the evening we en- 
trained in box cars (we were getting used to these luxuries) 
and during the next two days passed through Chateau 
Thierry, Espenay, the edge of Paris, Amiens, Boulogne and 
Calais, detraining just over the Belgian border, at Elver- 
dinghe. 

Upon our arrival several of the boys followed up a 

[40] 



Ypres 

"hunch" with the result several casualties were clicked. 
They were only cooties. This was our first discovery of the 
ticklers that were destined to stick to us closer than 
Mademoiselle or Belgian Rose. Just as the problem of 
"who won the war" shall forever remain unsolved, so will 
the identity of the person harboring the first cootie in 364 
remain a mystery. "When pup-tent pitching time came, two 
or three of the boys found themselves suddenly deserted, their 
partners having slunk away from them because the cootie 
advertising they had received had proclaimed them cootie 
inhabited. 

As soon as the pup-tents were pitched, sight-seeing trips 
to Ypres were organized and by the next evening every one 
had a thorough knowledge as to how a devastated town 
should appear. We had seen shelled towns and villages 
before, but none had been reduced to the state of complete 
demolition that we beheld in the ruins of Ypres, that one- 
time city of 26,000 or more inhabitants. While contemplating 
the remains, we thought of that mighty city famed in history 
and ancient story, concerning which was made the prophecy : 
"There shall not be left one stone upon another." From 
this time on photographs (before and after) of the Ypres 
cathedral, that magnificent structure, were in great demand, 
far exceeding the supply. 

THROUGH NO MAN'S LAND 

In the evening part of the company piled into trucks and 
traveled through No Man's Land to Oostnieukierke, the 
remainder sleeping in dugouts. Incidentally, be it said, this 
was the first and only time "Judge" Hartley was heard to 
swear. The historic words came forth as he emanated from 
his dug-out the next morning, having contracted a cold dur- 
ing the night. That morning the rest of the company followed 
in French trucks. Mile upon mile of the world's most devas- 
tated region was unfolded to our view. Hardly a tree was 
left standing and shell holes so closely overlapped that it 
would have been impossible to pitch a shelter half on level 
ground. Hand grenades, shells, rifles and many other mili- 
tary articles and munitions of war were scattered every- 
where, half buried in the mud. Occasionally we passed a 
tank whose career had been abruptly terminated by a shell. 
It was a veritable souvenir hunter's paradise. The French 

[41] 



The 364th F. H. 

were working on the road, which was worse than that in 
the Argonne. Occasionally, as we passed, they unearthed a 
dud, which they handled gingerly. For several miles we 
occupied the road in company with a long line of American 
artillery en route to the front, the drivers sitting their 
horses doggedly and looking down their noses. For it was 
a dull, dismal day, with drizzling rain. 

OOSTNIEUKIERKE 

As we neared our temporary destination, the landscape 
showed less marked signs of battle, although the town itself 
had been severely shelled. We established ourselves in billets 
that the Boche had deserted, and appropriated their double- 
deck bunks to our own use. During our three days' stay we 
were kept fairly well occupied operating a medical hospital. 
The never-to-be-forgotten ''flu" epidemic had started. 

ROULERS 

On the 24th we moved to Roulers by truck and re- 
established our hospital in a convent. The Boche had used 
the place for the same purpose, as was evidenced by the 
numerous bunks and the red cross painted on the roof. The 
inner walls were liberally embellished with such mottoes 
as: "Gott strafe England;" "Fur G-ott, mit Kaiser und 
Deutschland " ; ' ' Deutschland uber alles, ' ' and one which 
meant "We Germans fear God and no one else in the 
world." 

With every ward full, the biuiks crowded in close, there 
was not an idle moment for 364. Influenza patients were 
increasing, with some pneumonia and not a little diarrhea. 

Munly was here made sergeant and Taylor was made 
corporal. 

GUARDING A ROLLING KITCHEN 

. W^hen the company went to Roulers, three men were 
left behind to guard a rolling kitchen. They had orders 
to accompany the driver when it should be called for and 
moved forward the next day. The three men guarded faith- 
fully in relays that night, the next day and the next night. 
In the meantime the M. P. kitchen, at which they had been 
getting their meals, pulled out, making it necessary for them 
to forage through the town. In the afternoon Avhile thus 

[42] 



Waereghem 

engaged, having somewhat relaxed their vigil, a man hooked 
on and drove off with the kitchen. One of the trio, who had 
strolled down the road, was returning when he met the 
outfit. Expecting to see his comrades of the watch riding 
back there behind the horses, he came sharply face to face 
with the truth that they were not there ! This brought him 
up all standing for a brief moment. But hastening on, he 
was again surprised to find that the kitchen, which three 
reliable men had been detailed to guard, had quietly stolen 
away without one of them seeing it leave. 

From that moment until some hours after rejoining the 
company they suffered all the pangs of the damned. Visions 
of courtmartial, public reprimand, disgrace loomed big and 
portentous across their mental horizon, and in their breasts 
was a sickening qualm. They formed a secret pact to say 
nothing about the incident and await developments. Late 
that evening a truck loaded with medical supplies carried 
them to their destination. At the company it was apparent 
no one knew of the episode, not a word was said and they 
escaped the bawling out they feared. Also it is highly 
probable that to this day only the three concerned know 
of it. For this is the first time the story has been told. 

WAEREGHEM 

On the 80th of October our patients were evacuated and 
we rolled packs and stood by them. At 1 :30 A. M. we left 
in ambulances, resting packs on our knees, with Oxyghem 
as our objective. While halting in a town, a battery of 
fifty-three F^^ench tanks rattled through en route to the 
front, the eyes of the drivers peering out from the slits in 
the turrets, looking beady and indistinct in the gray of the 
morning. 

After rambling about for several hours, we swung into 
a road at daybreak and speeded up. At each town along 
the way the Belgian populace paused in their walk to turn 
and gaze after the broad, swiftly-revolving pneumatic tires 
as though they had never seen the like before. About 8 
o'clock we brought up in Roulers, at the point of starting, 
with the decision that we had merely been joy riding. One 
fleeting glimpse of Major Berry's face, registering as it did 
his thoughts, was enough. 

After a light breakfast we sallied forth again — this time 

[43] 



The 364th F. H. 

with better luck. Arriving at Oxyghem as the companies 
which had preceded us were lining up, we were just in 
time to fall in line for dinner. Another drive had started, 
and, besides treating soldiers of the United States, French 
and German armies, we cared for many wounded civilians 
that had been caught between the lines. 

The afternoon of the next day we went in trucks with 
hospital equipment to Waereghem. Passing over a bridge 
within a stone's throw of where we had spent the night — a 
bridge that had been consistently bombed every night the 
Boche could locate it, and as often rebuilt by our engineers; 
through a town where the network of rails in the railroad 
yards had been so thoroughly bombed that the broken ends 
stuck up like spars ; on through fertile country marked here 
and there by a shell hole; on over the hard surface road, 
under the low hanging wires that spanned the road from 
pole to pole on either side, where Chester Gast, perched high 
on equipment, lost his overseas cap (and nearly lost his 
head) by failing to duck soon enough. Barefoot men, women 
and children were seen carrying their scanty belongings, 
wrapped in small bundles or piled in a cart which they 
were pushing, returning to the place they were wont to 
call home. 

At Waereghem we acted as advance hospital for the 
Sanitary Train. Our ward tents were erected on the estate 
of a Belgian baron ; but not much was left of the dwelling, 
for the allies had discovered its use as German headquarters 
and bombed it with accuracy. 

Our surgical tent was well covered with heavy blankets, 
because the acetylene light made a shining mark for the 
Boche planes. The nights were too clear for comfort and 
several bombs came rather close. During the rapid advance 
of the infantry a 77 M M gun and crew, located in a house 
about three and a half miles away, were overlooked. It 
was because of this gun that the night of November 3 
was a hideous one for the men of 364. About 10 o'clock, 
when all seemed to be well, like a bolt of thunder from 
out a cloudless sky, a shell came crashing down, smashing 
the stillness into a million atoms and making havoc of 
night. The shock was the more pronounced because it 
seemed so absurdly impossible. All through the night at 
half-hour intervals the report of the gun was distinctly 

[44] 



OOSTROOSEBEKE 

heard, followed closely by the hellish scream of the missile 
as it tore directly over us to the road, with the result that 
several French soldiers were wounded and brought to the 
hospital. The thrills we got at Waereghem shall not be for- 
gotten. In the morning the military police did for these 
infernal fiends that refused to back up. 

The roads were far superior to those in the Argonne and 
transportation of wounded to and from our hospital was 
greatlv facilitated. 

OOSTROOSEBEKE 

On the 4th of November the Division was relieved and the 
entire Sanitary Train was stationed at Oosteroosebeke. It 
was only a partial rest for 364, as we maintained a divisional 
infirmary and the Boche planes still caused uneasiness at 
night. 

In the matter of bombing the Boche was very methodical. 
He did his work earl.y — usually around nine o'clock — then 
went home and went to bed. Whenever the ominous drone 
of a bomber's motor was heard growing more and more 

distinct, the cry ''Put out that d light!" was raised. 

Sometimes, despite the danger, a light was a little slow in 
going out. Whereupon a sergeant would thrust his head 
in and, with voice unusually resonant, promise the offender 
a certain desirable reward if the light was not extinguished 
that instant. About that time it went out. 

It rained every day of our sojourn at Oostroosebeke. If 
it had not been for the liberal supply of hay which kept our 
bunks high and dry, life in the ward tents, in the midst of 
a slough of mud, would have been intolerable. But, with 
Sibley stoves, comfortable bunks and incessant crap games, 
the days, though gray and wet, were filled with song. 

While here. Major Strohm took the place of Colonel 
Fields as Division Surgeon. Also Sergeant McNaughton 
left the company. 

The first definite news signifying the end of the war 
was received on the 7th, when official communication an- 
nounced that three German plenipotentiaries had passed 
through the lines to discuss arbitration. On the final day 
at Oostroosebeke one of the boys, while excavating, unearthed 
beaucoup bottles of wine that had been hastily covered by 
the Belgians before the Grerman occupation. It was a veri- 
table wine cellar. 

[45] 



The 364th F. H. 

SECOND EXPEDITION TO WAEREGHEM 

On November 9th we moved back to Waereghem and 
rested while the other companies operated the divisional hos- 
pital. 

Souvenir traffic now became rampant. A number of the 
boys were badly bitten by the germ and numerous deals in 
Lugers, iron crosses and other articles were made. 

The ubiquitous small boy figured largely in these deals, 
which grew to such proportions compared with which the 
New^ York Stock Exchange looked like a 5, 10 and 15 cent 
store. Sergeant Jehlinger was surprised to find that his 
newly acquired Luger would work when the trigger was 
pulled. Dave Hazen was more scared than surprised. 

Through the streets and byways on every hand was the 
evidences of German occupation. The Germans even pre- 
empted the food suppl}^ sent from the United States for the 
relief of the Belgians. The Belgians got what was left. But 
more especially with regard to the female population were 
the results of German occupation apparent. In view of the 
fact that some of the people were pro-German, it is not 
surprising that numerous subjects for the criminal depart- 
ment of the juvenile court were in evidence. 

All day Sunday there was a continuous procession of 
French cavalry passing through, moving toward the front. 
The splendid appearance of men, horses and trappings pro- 
claimed them the flower of the French army in this de- 
partment. 

Rumor strongly asserted that, unless the Germans sur- 
rendered, a massed allied drive would take place over the 
entire front, and to this end extensive preparations were 
being made to deliver the final crushing blow that would 
hurl the Boche reeling and staggering across the Rhine, thus 
conclusively ending the war on his own territory. 

At the cinema that night a Frenchman who had inside 
information, arose and announced that the German pleni- 
potentiaries had arranged to sign an armistice at 11 :00 
o'clock the next day. Though there had been a general 
feeling of expectancy, the first intimation we had of the 
true state of affairs was when, about 9 :30, a Frenchman 
came running past our billets, his voice so choked with sheer 
joy that he wept as he tried to shout: "Finis la Guerre!" 
Almost simultaneously there was a noise in the streets as 

[46] 



"Finis la Guerhe" 

of a young battle. Somebody said "German raid!" and 
Tony Grregory ran for his gas mask. The next instant a 
salvo of newly-bought Lugers went into action, adding their 
staccato word of proclamation through the open windows 
into the sky. 

We have tried many times to express in words the 
peculiar feeling of exaltation that gripped us that memor- 
able night of November 10, 1918, marking, as it did, the 
climax of the war. We have failed. For it only the gold 
of silence seemed fitting. It was too big, too deep, too 
all-consuming for puerile words. It glorified, it lifted the 
soul until it had intimate communion with the Infinite. And 
in the luxury of such silence we were content. 

OVER THE TOP ONCE MORE 

The next morning we were astir at 5 o'clock; for orders 
were to leave early for the front. Through Sergeant 
Hershner, I\lajor Colbert passed along the word: "The war 
is not over. The 91st went over the top at 6 o'clock this 
morning. We must be ready to do our part." 

Hospital equipment was again loaded on trucks and 
away we sped over the route followed by the French cavalry 
the day before. Arrived at Audenarde about 10 o'clock, 
we were halted in the street awaiting orders. At 11 :00 
o'clock Captain Koehn came down the line bearing word 
that the Armistice had been signed. 

Many French soldiers were marching through the town, 
the news reflected in their faces. On every tongue was the 
legend: "Finis la Guerre." 



[47 



The 364th F. H. 

PART III 

THE BEAST STILLED 

What means this ominous hush? 

Each nervous filament of sensibility, 

Tense and vibrant to the crash of battle, 

Now senses the negative shock of passivity. 

Scarce is it within the purview of the intellect 

The transition suddenly to comprehend. 

The mighty beast of war shortly stills his groanings, 

Settles, and silently melts to composite dust away. 

Stillness? Blissful Stillness! 

We know Thee, whom Thou art — 

Harbinger of peace and rest. 

Of volumes known, yet unexpressed. 

The Night of Prightfulness passes, 

The Serpent hides his deformed head. 

Millions of hearts their jubilates are beating to the 

skies 
Emblazoned with light ineffable ; 
While a world of humanity. 
In soul no longer suppressed, 
Now breathes, untrammeled, 
The vital breath of freedom 
And the liberty ordained of God. 

AUDENARDE 

While the boys had braced with the stimulus of action 
and were, in a measure, steadied by it, they reacted to the 
change which was manifest in their movements and behavior. 
They were restless, apprehensive, nervous. With the dark- 
ened streets, each succeeding night brought a gloom and a 
hush, that was more than stillness. It seemed a breathing, 
throbbing entity — a thing palpable, oppressive, pregnant with 
possibilities. As sleep forsages him who habitually sleeps 
within sound of the incessant hum of machinery, should that 
drone be abruptly stilled, so it was with the men of 364 
immediately at the close of hostilities. The huge beast of 
war had lain down to groan, to rise no more. 

What was the biggest thought in our minds as we crept 

[48] 



AUDENARDE 

down between our blankets that night of November 11, 
1918? Were we, in the first flush of victory, thinking of 
defeated Germany, with her megalomaniac Kaiser and his 
dashed ambitions? Were we thinking of ourselves? No. 
To the last man our minds were dwelling upon a certain 
spot — the dearest on earth — far across the chasm of ocean, 
which we were wont to call home. We wondered how the 
news was being received there. Closing our eyes, we could 
feel in fancy, like the concussion of the report of a great 
gun, the mighty tumult in the air produced by the concerted 
sign of relief that must have gone forth throughout all the 
land. 

While walking about the streets waiting to be assigned 
to billets, we soon discovered that down the street a little 
way, around the corner, down a flight of steps, was a place 
where some Belgian women were serving bread, butter and 
coffee, and each man was encouraged to eat until he wanted 
no more. This was the first free meal (outside the company 
mess) that it was our fortune to enjoy since leaving the 
States. 

Now attention is arrested by the sound of a bell. Not 
so much the tolling as the weird manner of it compels our 
interest. In solemn tones it peals forth, like the low notes 
of an organ, awful in their solemnity, seeming to echo a 
lament, a threnody for the departed. Catching the direction 
and casting the eye skyward, a group of our own men was 
seen through the aperture of the tower of this church, once 
an elaborate edifice, now a ruin. Many a shell fragment 
embedded in this tower became a souvenir. Soon these 
pilgrimages to the top of the tower were stopped and the 
bell silenced. 

The quarters chosen for 364 was a large four-story build- 
ing with an open court in the center, on both sides of which 
the ambulances lined up each night. This building had 
been used for school purposes, but later by the Germans 
as a hospital. We took possession of mattresses and, as 
usual, vied with one another for the best bed and the 
choicest location. 

Upon our arrival at Audenarde, the basement of the 
Mayor's house was found to be filled with refugees, sick, 
gassed and wounded. Also the basement of the Sisters' 
Hospital was found in the same condition. These people, 

[49] 



The 364th F. H. 

several hundred in number, we evacuated to the floors 
above and some to their homes. A canvas was then made 
to see what was needed in the way of food, and ambulances 
were dispatched to division headquarters dump for potatoes, 
sugar, flour, bread and quarters of beef. The natives were 
overcome with gratitude and, with tear-dimmed eyes, could 
not understand how we managed to deliver these provisions 
so soon. This work was done at the instigation and under 
direction of Major Strohm. 

The next object of charity that came to Major Strohm 's 
notice was David Hazen, publicity man of the Portland 
Telegram, with the Sanitary Train. Meeting Dave one 
morning, the corners of his mouth turned down like a rainy 
new moon, with a grouch as big as a house, shivering in the 
chilly morning air, the Major took him down to the Division 
Headquarters dump and got him an overcoat. From that 
time on the corners of his mouth turned up, Dave had a 
smile for 364 and thought our mess the best in the A. E. F. 

The company set up a hospital in the chapel, which was 
the same room the Germans used for their hospital. Over 
the archway at one end was the legend, "Hindenburg-Saal. " 
Doubtless to many a wounded Boche lying in this spot the 
stern realities of the hellish work in which he and his tribe 
were engaged were brought home. See him as he writhes 
in pain seeming to seek the answer to his consuming questions 
in the blue sky. Presently in a moment's surcease his eye 
lights upon the legend, ''Hindenburg-Saal." His eyes gleam. 
We pursue his train of thought further. Hindenburg ! Hin- 
denburg ! That peerless leader, that superman, whose every 
command was an edict of God: That one in whom, with his 
Kaiser, the Boche had been schooled to repose faith un- 
shakable. On that fateful morning that laid him low we 
see him gird on his belt. Dreamily he passes his hands over 
the words, ' ' Gott mit uns. ' ' Fortified by this inspiration and 
abetted by the precepts of years, he sallies forth to give 
battle, firmly committed to the belief that the army, of 
which he is a part, is invincible and can know no defeat. 
Sharply he is brought to the present. What is the meaning 
of it all? Surely his Gott has forsaken him or he has been 
terribly deceived. He passes his hand across his eyes like 
one rousing from a trance, as the scales fall and the light 
of truth breaks through — America ! America is the reason ! 

[50] 



Ghent 

RUMORS 

Attention was divided these restless days between trips 
to Ghent, laying plans for the future and the all-absorbing 
topic of ''When do we go home?" Some planned to go back 
to school and complete their education ; some would resume 
the business or profession they left. Each had his own dream 
of a future. However, the real business of the hour was 
collecting rumors. At least one new rumor was born each 
day. The man who picked up a real live one was, for 
the moment, the popular idol of the company. At this 
period, according to one rumor, we were doomed, with the 
division, for the army of occupation. The next was that we 
would surely be sent home in a few weeks. The first rumor 
that was considered authentic was gathered in by one of 
the company who was on duty that day in the hospital. 
While making up the chart of one of the patients, the latter 
said: "I hear you fellows are going home pretty soon." 
Whereupon he proceeded to give his authority and the 
origin of the rumor. The rumor that 364 might be chosen 
as part of the escort to re-establish King Albert upon the 
throne failed to materialize, though part of the division did 
perform that function. We remained behind to operate the 
hospital, for the sick we had always with us. 

At the Y chocolates and cigars were to be had in quanti- 
ties to make glad the heart of Len. Kaufman, and chewing 
gum enough to enable Jason Van Winkle, the chicle artist, 
to lay in a supply for many weeks. Several of the boys were 
seen to bargain with him' for gum in exchange for cigars 
and cigarettes. 

GHENT 

When not on duty the boys stole away on trips to Ghent, 
returning with rosy accounts of their experiences. At this 
period no American soldiers were stationed in Ghent, so 
the advent of an American soldier in the streets of this city 
was heralded as an innovation — by the female population. 
The following happened: Two of our boys arrive and are 
walking through the streets. Two Poilus approach, each 
with a Belgian damsel on his arm. Seeing the Americans, 
the girls drop their companions' arms, crying "American 
Soldat!" and make haste to take the arms of the new 
arrivals, leaving the luckless Poilus to gape in cursing fury. 

[51] 



The 364th F. H. 

These Roses de Belgique, leaping to the role of entertainers, 
are found to be of decided social tendencies and the boys 
find themselves composing a personally conducted party. 
They drop in at a cinema. Here the fair ones improve the 
moment and by the time the reel is spent they are on rather 
friendly terms with their new acquaintances. But the luck- 
less Poilus remain in shadow until the Americans leave. 

SPECIAL DETAIL 

In these days were born the ''Canvas-backs" and ''Pow- 
der Monkeys." "Big-hearted" Sam Cooke, the biggest and 
huskiest of the Canvas-backs, had a penchant for dissecting 
hand grenades in the presence of fearful spectators. Then 
after the candle was put out he would sprinkle powder on 
the stove. To anyone entering the room the display was 
as if an explosion was about to take place, whereupon he 
would turn around and beat a hasty retreat. 

The boys who were assigned to the company Q. M. wore 
leather vests. Hence the name "Canvas-backs." 

Prom across the river at officers' quarters in the 
Chateau, Lieutenant Vanderboget issued a call for cooks. 
There were nine officers, nine "dog robbers," two ambu- 
lance drivers and two cooks to be fed. Beach Crofton and 
Chas. Longpre were drawn as the two cooks. Reluctantly 
they went. After the officers and dog robbers had eaten, 
the provident cooks drew from the cupboard the choicest 
steaks, which they had held in reserve for themselves. To 
these private feeds came daily Top Sergeant Hershner, Ser- 
geant Walters, Canvas-backs Sam Cooke and Bill Winters, 
Avho waxed fat and "fared sumptuously every day." Beach 
and Charles did not like their job and in order to secure 
release resorted to a bit of strategy. This they accomplished 
by serving the officers with unwashed hands, i. e., while 
the palms of their hands were washed clean, they did not 
wash the backs. In a few days they became so brown that 
the official stomach could stand it no longer. A Belgian 
woman, making a timely appearance, was duly installed as 
cook, and Beach and Charles were sent back to the company. 
Back they went chuckling at the success of their ruse. 



[521 




1. Captain Collier giving instruction in care of wounded. 2. Instruction in 

bandagnig. 3. German cemetery at Iseghem. 4. Our Camp Lewis barracks. 

o. Wood detail at St. Xazairre. 6. An American grave in Belgium. 



Ghent 

DAD'S LETTER DAY 

November 24th was designated as Dad's Letter Day. 
Every member of the company was urged by G. O. to write 
and get their letter in the mail during the day, so that there 
would be ample time to reach its destination by Christmas. 
Some of the boys who had not written dad for years took 
advantage of this opportunity to send a letter and cause the 
old man's eyes to stand out in surprise. Others having no 
father, wrote mother instead. 

A BELGIAN WOMAN'S PLUCK 

One thick, foggy evening, just at dusk, attendants in 
the surgery were startled by the sound of suppressed weep- 
ing as the door swung open to admit two men carrying a 
young woman. When they had deposited her upon the 
operating table, it was found that she had sustained a very 
ugly and painful injury of one foot. Li attempting to cross the 
street in the darkness and confusion she had been run down 
by a truck, the entire upper part of the foot being cleaned 
to the bone. But for the stout sabot with which her foot was 
shod, the wound should have been much worse. At first she 
was apprehensive that the surgeon was going to amputate 
the foot; but she was assured by the Poilu who assisted in 
carrying her in that she was in the hands of friends and 
that not only the injured member would be spared but that 
skilled surgery was about to be used and that in due time 
she would be able to come and go as usual. 

Never shall those who stood by forget the mute ques- 
tioning appeal that looked out of those blue, tear-dimmed 
eyes. As one who held her hand — for no anesthetic was 
given — stood there wishing mightily she would quit trem- 
bling so violently and dry the tears, gradually a look of 
wonder, of supreme confidence came into her eyes, she be- 
came composed and the trembling did, indeed, cease. ''Poor 
little devil," said Major Jones, as he finished drawing to- 
gether the edges of skin and commenced bandaging. 

So, here and there throughout this country, wherever 364 
went were left in their wake, as never-failing evidences of 
their altruism and general helpfulness, deeds like this that 
shall live in the hearts of these people, being ever like unto 
pleasant dreams in the halls of their memory. 

[531 



The 364th F. H. 
ISEGHEM 

The morning of November 27th found the company on 
its way in ambulances to Iseghem. Billets here were an old 
broom factory, admirably situated for the convenience of 
the thirsty. Almost directly beneath and across a narrow 
passage-way was a combination bar and billiard room, with 
an attractive barmaid to add to the lure of the place. Here 
games and conviviality reigned from early evening until 
nine o'clock, when the police always closed it, for it was 
an orderly place. The evenings began quietly enough, but 
with gradually increasing zest and numbers until finally the 
room, with its smoke blue air, boisterous exclamations and 
rapidly changing francs, presented an appearance not far 
remote from a Wall Street broker's office. The joy-producing 
liquid was so convenient and so easily obtainable that it 
was rumored that even ''Judge" Hartley fell from grace 
while at Iseghem. 

Quartered immediately adjoining were the owner and 
his winsome daughter; but it was reserved for but few to 
gain admission to this dwelling, pure and lowly, where lived 
the dainty dispenseress of refreshments. Though McLean 
was seen one day with some delicacies from the kitchen, 
dear to the female heart, being graciously received at the 
door of her apartments, no fatality resulted from the episode. 

The activities of the company were a series of hikes, ball 
playing, drill and K. P. Thanksgiving dinner was a sumptu- 
ous preparation. The menu extended from brussels sprouts 
to chocolate pudding, with all the trimmings in between. 

December 3rd, by way of novelty, and to show Sergeants 
Hershner, Walters, Carroll and Munley what work was, 
they were put on K. P. for the day. They succeeded in 
putting up a good meal. Furthermore, they said that they 
enjoyed it. 

One afternoon 364, with the other companies, was re- 
viewed by a French Major, who spoke briefly, complimenting 
us on our service record, referring to us as ''gallant sol- 
diers" and the best of our kind in the A. E. F. The next 
day Major Berry, then Commander of the Sanitary Train, 
reviewed and read a communication from Major Strohm, 
Division Surgeon, complimenting the company on the show- 
ing made at the review the day before. 

[54] 



ISEGHEM 

SOUVENIRS 

Prom the signing of the Armistice, the search for and 
traffic in souvenirs became the ruling passion. If a variety 
of souvenirs was wanted and at a reasonable price, this 
general scheme was adopted by the wise : Set out in any 
direction — no matter which — and hail the first boy that 
comes along. Offer him a few francs for a Boche helmet, 
'*Gott Mit Uns" belt, or other trinket, then stay in the vi- 
cinity and await developments. In a few minutes the original 
boy returns with a half dozen more of his kind, bearing in 
their hands belts, helmets, knives, buttons or any other 
article once the property of a German, and for which they 
hope to find a sale. These urchins have been known to rifle 
the graves of German dead for souvenirs, which never failed 
to find a ready market. During the latter days at Iseghem, 
Tusler and Kinsey did a prosperous business selling helmets 
wrapped ready for mailing. 

THE AIRDOME 

Sunday afternoon, December 1st. being bright, there was 
a general exodus to the airdome, situated three miles out 
of town. For five francs the boys were taken up ; but as the 
demand reached the point of establishing a waiting list, 
the French officer in charge of the field discovered the 
practice and stopped it. However, this being our first op- 
portunity to view many large planes at close range, the 
opportunity was not unimproved. The picture of those long 
lines of huge birds as they rested there, or as one sallied 
forth to ascend, or another settled down and came home to 
rest, was like a work of art. 

THE CINEMA 

The evening of December 6th the compan.y went, as 
guests of the French, to the cinema. Gathered before the 
door half an hour before it opened, every man waited tensely, 
apprehensively, though with every evidence of good will 
toward our gray-clad allies to the right. When at last the 
door opened the mass of O. D. and gray came together 
and blended as one, the writhing vortex forming at the 
door. The center of that crush was a place for only a 
perfectly sound, healthy man; but one or two who had 

[55] 



The 364th F. H. 

yielded to the seductive ministrations of the barmaid soon 
found themselves in the rear, with memories of having felt 
better. 

The bill was one to compare favorably with our own 
motion picture shows, with a respectable orchestra in addi- 
tion and a solo, the ''Madelon," sung by a Poilu, the audi- 
joining in the chorus. 

SEARCHING IN THE ARGONNE FOREST 

To ''Judge" Hartley fell the distinction of being selected 
from the company to assist in the work of checking up the 
mortality record of the division. This history is the richer 
for the part he had in it, and we are indebted to the Judge 
for the following story. The Judge is a close friend of 
Chaplain Rexroad's. 

"Early in America's part of the war emphasis was placed 
upon keeping close, and as nearly as possible, accurate rec- 
ords of the personnel of the army. This was no small task 
where thousands of men were engaged in a death encounter 
under such circumstances surrounding as the Argonne for- 
ests. Nevertheless, each division tried to keep a record of 
every man, and while in action the division burial officer 
kept records of all men buried on the field. This was not 
always an easy task, nor a pleasant one, for while each man 
was supposed to have his ''dog tax" on his person, in 
various ways it might have been lost. Also, just the proper 
noting and recording the name and serial number from 
the tag and proper description of place of burial was not 
always possible under shell fire, to which many times those 
performing this solemn duty were exposed. 

"After the signing of the Armistice, the Division Officials 
began to study the accuracy of their records as to those 
'missing in action,' 'unaccounted for,' 'killed in action,' etc., 
tion," etc., and found at that time that there were some 
one hundred and fifty men whose exact whereabouts were 
not definitely known to Division Headquarters, and the 
anxious inquiry of relatives and friends was causing much 
official concern. 

"About December 2, 1918, an official order was issued 
ordering Chaplain Rexroad and Burial Officer Chaplain 
Smith, of the 362d Infantry, and myself to accompany them 
by automobile to Very, Prance, and any other places neces- 

[56] 



Argonne Forest 

sary to search for and locate any unknown buried or un- 
buried dead American soldiers of the 91st Division. 

**At that time the Division was located in Belgium, about 
40 kilos S. W. of the city of Grhent. A French army truck 
of both speed and capacity was provided and after being 
well provisioned with necessary supplies we set out for the 
Argonne battlefield via Grhent, Brussels, Waterloo and 
Sedan, touching the field on the North and going South until 
we came to the area of the 91st Division on the North, near 
what remained of the village of Gesnes. Here we camped 'in 
the Valley of the Shadow of Death.' 

**The contrast between the first and second experiences 
in this country cannot be measured. The shrieking and 
bursting shells, roaring and rattling guns, groans of agony 
of the wounded, yells and curses of traffic during the first 
days of this inferno, as against the deathlike silence of 
these hills, vales and jungles on our second visit, made 
one question his mortal existence. True, we had the destruc- 
tion on every hand, the remains of war paraphernalia scat- 
tered in every direction and everywhere; dead bodies — 
both man and animal (some partially buried) lying where 
they fell; mud and cooties 'an' everything.' The deathlike 
quietude sent its uncanny feeling creeping up one's spine. 
The crows were the only feathered creatures noticed in the 
country, and they, lighting and spying a coat, gun or other 
article of war, would squawk and fly on. 

"A week was spent thoroughly searching every bit of 
the area traversed by men of the 91st Division during the hell- 
fire drive from September 26th to October 10, 1918. We found 
graves of men of the 361 Infantry, 6 kilos north of the 
original objective of the Division. This was on account of 
one brigade being placed in line and advanced after the 
objective was reached and before the relieving division got 
in place. The mute evidences of the death grapples with 
machine gun nests in hundreds of places will need no 
explanation of Yankee courage in the years to come. 

"All graves were noted and names and numbers taken. 
These were compared with our list of missing, and checked 
up. Whenever a grave was found with no identification 
and nothing to identify was found upon the body, all articles 
used or worn by American soldiers found in the vicinity 
upon which there were any names or numbers were noted 

[57] 



The 364th F. H. 

and upon our return to the Division a careful check was 
made and in two or three instances the bodies were identi- 
fied in that manner. 

"In one place near the village of Very we located two 
majors, one lieutenant and one chaplain, whose graves were 
marked 'unidentified.' The reason for this particular hap- 
pening was that while the chaplain was engaged in the 
burial of these bodies there was a heavy shell fire from the 
enemy in that place, and the officer, leaving the burial 
squad, went up the road some fifty yards to warn others 
not to come that way and before he got back to the grave, 
was blown to fragments. The squad hurriedly covered the 
bodies and also that of the chaplain who had them in charge 
shortly before. There being no time to gather records at 
the time and the chaplain having the records on his person, 
everything was hurriedly covered up. Similar circumstances 
account for many lost records. 

"We left the Argonne after ten days' search, feeling we 
had done a service to the relatives in locating a number of 
those who had paid the supreme price. 

"With the possible exception of positive identification 
of perhaps one or two, the latest reports show a complete 
record of all men of the 91st Division. Such a record during 
the World War was the exception rather than the rule." 

PROVEN (Dec. 8-27) 

Sunday afternoon, December 8th, we sped in ambulances 
through Poperinghe, through Roulers and Oostnieukerke, 
where we had operated hospitals in late October, back 
through No Man's Land, past ruined Ypres to Proven. Many 
changes were beginning to take place in this No Man's 
Land we had crossed less than two months before. The road 
then well nigh impassable, had been leveled and improved so 
that travel in ambulances was made fairly rapid ; yet not 
all the landmarks had been removed. At a tank a halt was 
made and on examination the skeleton of a man was found 
inside. Here some of the boys had their pictures taken. As 
we paused a moment and looked through the crisp air of the 
winter afternoon toward the sun descending low, a few 
brief thoughts in retrospect crowded into the mind. We 
thought of that dismal, rainy day we moved forward over 
this same route, going into what we knew not. We were 

[58] 



Proven 

caught in the grip of environment and held obsessibly in its 
spell ; for it was a land of havoc, desolation, ruin, shell holes 
and bashed-in dugouts: a land where the feeling grew that 
should one long remain and breathe that air of blight, he 
should be smitten, and the wanderer should some day come 
upon his bones in this wilderness. But today nature smiled 
over the waste, the transformation being the handiwork of 
the great Alchemist; and we were bidding farewell to these 
scenes, moving Westward toward home. 

A FLOTSAM OF MUD 

Arrived at Proven at sundown, the company took quarters 
in English bow-huts — "twenty men in a tin can," surrounded 
by deep mud, a trench three feet deep full of green water, 
and infested with rats. Upon arrival we were told that our 
stay would be about two or three days ; but the days length- 
ened into weeks, the outlook becoming gloomier each day. 
Every man was on the alert for rumors, some of which 
pointed to the army of occupation. The days grew short 
and even shorter, the weather turned cold, and in that flot- 
sam of mud the K. P. was the only man who worked and 
nobody envied. 

Reveille at this season of the j^ear, under such circum- 
stances, was an institution calculated to shorten one's days 
and certainly it was a prolific source of profanity. Great 
was the joy when the bugler overslept. 

To find in the morning that, during the night, a chummy 
rat had sallied forth from his quarters under the floor, had 
broken through the barricade that the boys erected each 
night around their haversacks to keep them out, and had cut 
the strings of a shoe or the thongs of a haversack and had 
helped himself to hard tack or — worse yet — cookies, was an 
ordinary occurrence that merely drove home the truth that 
we were indeed living close to nature. 

During these dark days at Proven — and darker nights — 
candles became scarce and, for the same reason and because 
of the demand, higher in price, though in reality shorter. So 
short they grew that a full grown candle at the store was 
only six inches long and sold for a franc and a half. We 
Americans, as profiteers, have nothing on the Belgians. 

Inspections were pulled with the usual frequency. Major 
Berry inspected December 14th, after floors had been duly 

[59] 



The 364th F. H. 

dunged out and bunks arranged. The following Monday we 
stood two inspections, one by the 91st Division Inspector, 
the other by General Johnson, Commander of the Division, 
and they both called it good. Major Berry did not. 

Interesting side trips were made during this period, to 
Dunkirk by the sea, Bruges, Brussels and Ostend. Every 
man in the company visited at least one of these places. As 
a man's uniform was his pass, he could board any train and 
go wherever he pleased, provided he had a pass. If not, 
A. W. O. L., free of charge. The memorable Passchendaele 
Ridge was on the railway leading out of Proven and therefore 
easily accessible. The boys w^ho visited this spot where the 
German advance in the spring of this year was stopped by 
the stubborn resistance of the French, saw many dead French 
soldiers still lying where they fell. 

CHRISTMAS DINNER 

Our Christmas dinner, December 24th, was a feed fit for 
a king, in the preparation of which. Cook Le Grandeur 
clearly outdid himself. The eighteen turkeys came out of 
the oven in a condition to melt in the mouth. Gravy with 
mashed potatoes, dressing, cabbage, cake with chocolate pud- 
ding, and cocoa. The K. P.s hit each man hard so that he 
went away with mess kit piled high and had no capacity to 
come back for seconds. The day was cold and show was in 
the air as the line filed by; but neither K. P. nor mess line 
felt nor regarded the weather. What cared we how the snow 
came down or how deep the mud? What cared we how the 
wind blew smoke into our eyes? What cared we for priva- 
tions endured or yet to be endured ? It was a day of revelry 
and we were going home! Assurance had just reached us 
that, though the date was yet undetermined, the 91st was 
to be sent home. Fl*om being suspended betw^een heaven and 
earth since November 11th, at times buoyed up with the 
hope, strengthened by the rumor that we were going home ; 
then precipitated to a bottomless pit of hopelessness by the 
rumor that the assignment of our doom was the army of 
occupation, the latest official information was of an order 
to quiet the soul and cheer the troubled breast. Our posi- 
tion during this period had been like unto that of a man 
tried for murder. The evidence is in, the jury has received 
its charge and the prisoner awaits the verdict. Imagine this 

[60] 




Lieut. Besson 
Ed. Munly 



Captain Brooks 
Fred R. Stipe 



Geo. H. Jehlinger 
Isaac E. Garrard 



J 



Amiens 

for a moment and the measure of our relief can be realized 
when the verdict ''not guilty" was brought in. 

Major Strohm stood in the door of a bow hut, a cigar 
between his teeth and a curious smile on his face as he 
watched the process. With him were Majors Colbert and 
Mount, all guests at our board on this festal occasion. Out of 
Major Strohm 's presence at this dinner issued our trip to 
Paris, thereby incurring the undying enmity of Major Berry, 
who coveted it for the ambulance section. 

A TREK ACROSS COUNTRY— AMIENS 

There were five motor trucks in our convoy, in which were 
our equipment and as many of the company as could find 
riding accommodations. The remainder, except those left at 
Ostend, were transported in ambulances. We covered ninety- 
five miles the first day, arriving at Amiens at ten o'clock 
at night. The ambulance containing Lieutenant Brooke and 
others of the company was sent ahead to make provision for 
our accommodations, but through some error we failed to 
connect, and each man was thrown upon his own resources 
for the night. After standing around a fire made of oil 
poured in the street, until midnight, and nobody appeared, we 
started out to find a place to sleep. A few of the boys un- 
rolled their blankets and slept in the trucks or spread theiu 
down in houses that had been partially demolished by shells. 
The streets were still dark and we were not familiar with 
the town. Occasionally as we straggled along we encountered 
a Frenchman, who, upon being interrogated, waved his arms 
after the manner of his kind and pointed vaguely. At that 
hour most of the people had retired and the houses were 
closed, the shutters drawn close. Here and there through 
the streets we stumbled, looking for a lighted window or 
hotel, breathing forth mutterings that made the home folks 
worry for a week. It seemed to us that that town of a 
hundred thousand was more like a cemetery than any place 
of human habitation that night. Finally in groups of two 
or three, or singly, we found places where the madame had 
room and bed. And we laid the body down. 

Two of the boys came to a house where the light showed 
through the shutters and knocked upon the door. While try- 
ing to make their wants known to the woman who re- 
sponded, a female voice overhead called in very good English, 

[61] 



The 364th F. H. 

*' sleep?" Music? There never was sweeter. "Oui, oui, 
Americans sleep," was the hasty and fervent reply. Where- 
upon, she promptly closed the window and prepared to re- 
ceive the Americans. They stood by while Madame, who 
knew what service is, made the bed, turning the feather mat- 
tress over, working it until it lay a mass of softness, a 
thing of joy as the two tired wayfarers contemplated it and 
thought of the beds their mothers used to make for them in 
years gone by. A curious, throaty feeling made them silent. 
Clean sheets were put on and after the bed covers, the in- 
evitable eiderdown counter tick, which graces all French 
beds. ''Beaucoup sleep," said Madame, bidding them good- 
night. 

Oh ye civilian bed ! It was the first real, honest to God 
bed those two had slept in since leaving the U. S. A., and 
seven francs for the two was cheap. ''Beaucoup sleep" was 
putting it mildly. The rest extracted from that bed that 
night was an experience for tired bodies — bodies that had 
grown accustomed to the deprivation of this luxury. They 
lay there awhile and thought of the bunks they had had at 
all the various places where the company had been, and as 
they reflected upon these things they became as naught under 
the luring spell of comfort that enveloped them. 

At 7 :00 'clock the next morning they were up and ready 
for breakfast. But Madame sorrowfully and with a degree of 
sympathy in her voice made known her inability to serve 
it. Down town at the restaurants the boys were breakfast- 
ing on ham and eggs, French fries and coffee. Though there 
was a law then in force in this town that no soldiers should 
be fed before 9:00 A. M., by waiting until the officer had 
passed, we entered by way of the front door and were fed 
quietly and a little obscurely in the rear of the building. 
The proprietor was safe unless the officer became suspicious 
and inspected the place. 

BEAUVAIS 

By 8:30 we had started the wheels going again. The 
weather was not so cold as the day before ; nor did it rain. 
This was better for seeing the country. As we passed 
through the villages and hamlets the boys dropped out to buy 
bread and cheese which was munched at will. 

The farmers of France seem to plow all through the 

[62] 



Beauvais 

winter. It was no uncommon sight to see, here and there, 
a Boche prisoner with his visorless cap with its red band, 
doggedly following the plow, glad to be out of the war, 
although heartily wishing himself at home. The Dutch wind- 
mills slowly flapping their lazy wings made one think of 
another country, though they are not confined to Holland. 

These roads, marked from afar by the inevitable vista of 
trees, as they wind their devious ways through this gently 
undulating land, are the finest on the globe. The French 
people take a certain pride in them and in their maintenance. 
They correspond with our macadamized streets, except they 
are harder, more compact, approaching in hardness our paved 
roads. These were originally made hundreds of j^ears ago, of 
a whitish rock which, when broken into fine pieces and spread 
upon the road, easily disintegrates further under traffic and 
becomes a part of the original road, forming a surface at once 
durable and inexpensive. And they are kept up. Whenever 
a depression begins to appear, it is promptly covered with 
this fine rock. One does not see a neglected road in Prance. 
An old man — during the war always an old man — sitting by 
the roadside with a hammer "making little ones out of big 
ones," was a common sight. 

At sundown the truck section arrived and parked. Hardly 
had they done so when the ambulance contingent drove 
up. Then explanations were in order for the failure to con- 
nect the night before — explanations that lead nowhere, de^ 
cided nothing. 

An emergency kitchen was set up for the benefit of 
those whose funds were running low. but only a few took 
advantage of it, which made K. P. light for the unlucky. 
Those out of funds borrowed from the more frugal and 
practically everybody dined in state at the hotels and slept 
in beds. Sergeant Carroll left his best souvenirs, a German 
officer's helmet and a German Luger, in his room when he 
stepped out for a few minutes. Upon his return they were 
gone. Sergeant Madison had a way that was absolutely 
proof against sneak thieves. He kept his French binoculars, 
for which he paid a handsome price, tightly buttoned inside 
his blouse, and "everywhere that Maddie went the glass 
was sure to go." 

A few who undertook to go to the cinema after 9:00 
o'clock were confronted with closed doors and the informa- 

[631 



The 364th F. H. 

tion that the seats were all sold and admission, under any 
circumstances, was impossible. 

The shops and shop windows presented a Parisian ap- 
pearance. The jewelry store windows were much as they 
are in our own country. A large department store, except 
for the language and Frenchy look of the shop-girls, was 
not much different from our own. 

TROOPER BILL PULLS A STUNT 

It was at Beauvais that "Trooper" or "Roaring Bill" 
Stipe distinguished himself. Continuing in his role as pro- 
moter, he posted himself at the door of a public house, posing 
as an M. P. Having first spoken confidentially to the lady 
at the bar, representing that the boys who had come in were 
strictly honest and would surely pay for their drinks, but 
just then, while not altogether out of money, did not have 
very much. However, they expected to get paid in two or 
three days, he was looking for beaucoup soldiers in a day or 
two, then there would be lots of business, plenty of money, 
as the boys were all good spenders, etc. In this way did 
Trooper continue in his insinuating, seductive fashion until 
Madame was persuaded and the wine flowed freely, while 
Trooper turned on his heel, wiped away a smile and indulged 
in a roguish wink at the boys. Until the small hours of the 
morning they carried on. And to this day the Trooper re- 
gards this the leading episode of his overseas experience. 

PARIS 

Late in the afternoon of the next day, December 29th, we 
arrived at St. Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, unloaded our 
equipment and took quarters at Base Hospital 41 which oc- 
cupied a building formerly occupied as a hospital by the 
natives, who were eager to reoccupy it. 

Next morning we did not lie abed, for there were passes 
issued to all who w^anted to go to Paris, a thirty-minute ride 
by trolley. Conductorettes there were in charge of these 
cars who did not flirt — at close range, but when the Ameri- 
cans left the cars at the Place de Concorde or other point, 
and looked inquiringly over their shoulders, she called ''You 
kissa me?" laughingly throwing one with both hands. In 
this, needless to say. she was not disappointed. 

The time in Paris was spent in seeing points of interest 

[64] 



Paris 

and enjoying some novel experiences. For many of the com- 
pany the Battle of Paris was the fiercest battle of the war. 
More glorious victory on any field of battle was never won, 
than on the field where rolls the Seine; never was laurel 
more dearly gained ; never was crown of monarch more richly 
merited, nor with more kingly grace worn, than was that 
invisible, though blood-bought diadem which graced the im- 
maculate brow of the unscathed. 

Though the happy spirit of wholesome fellowship that 
existed between the American soldiers and the native girls, 
not only of Paris but throughout France, made the girls in 
America burn with envy, mortify with jealousy, and tear 
the hair in the fury of impotent rage in the seclusion of 
their private chambers; and though Mademoiselle was 
friendly (too friendly?) without formality of introduction, 
it was only to show hospitality to "the stranger within her 
gates" — hospitality prompted by a heaven-placed yearning 
and compassion for the boys, so far away from home, who had 
gone through hell for them ; a hospitality our own sweet 
things would have shown in like circumstances. God bless 
the gurgling, cooing French girls. 

CHATEAU DE GLAYE (Dee. 31st- Jan. 29th) 

December 31st, three trucks with about two-thirds of 
the company, left Paris and proceeded on the last leg of the 
cross-country trip. About ten o'clock that night one of the 
trucks, when running up the gentle slope toward Chateau 
de Glaye, ran into the ditch. The truck behind picked up 
the marooned and in a few minutes arrived at the place 
where we were destined to remain until January 29th. A 
fragment of the company had arrived in the speedier ambu- 
lances earlier in the day and had set up the beginning of 
our hospital. We found quarters in the rooms on the third 
floor of the chateau and got to bed about the time the old 
year died. 

This Chateau de Glaye was an imposing, ell-shaped struc- 
ture, four stories high, about four hundred feet long and 
famed principally far its many rooms. Once the property of 
a French count, it had the appearance, judging from its con- 
struction, of having been used at one time as a road-house. 
Like many other chateaus erected in feudal times, a huge 
mote was constructed in the front and about two hundred 

[651 



The 364th F. H. 

feet distant from it. A stone wall extended around the build- 
ing and into the aperture in front an iron gate was fitted. 
Situated within easy distance of many surrounding villages, 
fancy pictures that, before the war, many a convivial party 
was staged here; wine and women being necessary to the 
schedule. 

New Year's Day was celebrated in cleaning the rooms, 
furnishing beds and completing arrangements for the care 
of the sick of the Division. In addition to the influenza 
and other patients, it soon became necessary to open up 
an isolation ward in the chapel for mumps patients that, for 
a time, filled it to overflowing. 

Thus the old routine of detail, K. P. and nurse commenced 
anew, and now that we had settled again there was a re- 
newal of much wonderment as to the length of time until 
our next move and in what direction it would be. But be- 
cause each move thus far had been in a westerly direction, 
there was general satisfaction and in every breast there was 
hope. 

January 5th the stragglers from Paris and Ostend came 
in, having made the trip by rail. Then there were tales of 
how Vissman and others in the party stole cheese from box 
cars en route to keep from starving. Apprehension was 
strong among them that some penalty in the way of extra 
detail would be imposed; but on the contrary, things were 
strangely quiet, not a word was said and things moved on 
as usual. 

January 7th Major Colbert was relieved of command of 
the company and placed in command of field hospitals, and 
Major Jones took the company. 

A detail of men was assigned daily to mop out the wards, 
stairways and corridors of the hospital. Jason Van Winkle 
had the supervision of this detail until one day when one 
of the men was caught carrying water in a fire bucket. Jase 
was severely reprimanded for this by Major Jones, who was 
a strict disciplinarian, relieved of his command and given 
three days K. P. and a chance to meditate on his sins. 



[66 



Chateau de Glaye 

K. P. 

K. F. detail here was not bad. Our kitcheD was located 
near the end of the building, with a window punched out 
through which the stove pipe protruded. The wind was 
favorable almost one-fourth of the time. Most of the work 
consisted of pumping and carrying the water. The pump 
was located on the far side of the building with a two- 
inch pipe leading through the wall out of which the water 
jutted — if the operator had breath to continue. Some- 
times he would work until out of breath, only to find that 
no water had come through. The pump, though a wheezy 
affair, was the best exerciser in the A. E. F. It was fitted 
with a wheel, high up and flush with the wall, which, when 
in motion, made a noise like grinding a scythe. The knowl- 
edge that part of his power was given to the wall made the 
operator tire the sooner. This pump was operated by the 
following formula : Grasping the wooden bar about chest 
high, the operator danced up and down until a fellow K. P. 
pounded on the wall inside with a ball bat. This was the 
signal, dimly heard, that the barrel was full. Then he would 
cease pumping and the two carried the barrel to the stove. 
Amazing it was how many times a day this barrel required 
filling. 

THE DELOUSER 
Ode to the Cootie 

Our garments acquire the habit of moving about over our 
anatomy, making it impossible to extract any solace from 
«hut-eye. We remove our shirt. We read it. We find it to 
be overpopulated. Our eye focuses upon an object, oblong, 
pellucid, diminutive — though of the species not diminutive. 
We watch it strain slowly forward as if under pressure, in- 
clining slightly to either side. We see it poise a moment 
tremulously, then straighten out, only to repeat. We watch 
it till in savage glee we pounce upon and take it between our 
thumbs. ''Click" says the casualty and the torso contents 
fills our eye. (We've killed a million.) And the cootie 
silently folds his silken pinions across his lousy breast and 
gives up the ghost. 

The middle of the month a w^ard tent was erected in which, 
through the inventive genius of Bill Winters and Chas. 

[67] 



The 364th F. H. 

Longpre, delousing engineers, a delousing plant was in- 
stalled. Simultaneously a tripod arrangement was set up 
for heating bath water in front of a tent (officers' size), 
in which the showers were improvised. Then three at a 
time, right down the roster, the men were drawn and their 
clothing and blankets put through the delouser while they 
took their bath. Griswold — ''Dirty Gris" — was duly de- 
loused and bathed. And the next day he had cooties. 
Gris was the one man of the company who seemed to have 
a kind of capillary attraction for the vermin. They would 
pass up every other man in the company and settle on Gris. 
Finally, before we left for the port of embarkation, he was 
sent to another delouser where, he said, they nearly killed 
him. 

CETON FARM (Jan. 29th-March 23rd) 

The last week of our sojourn at Chateau de Glaye, Mobile 
Evacuation Hospital 7 appeared and prepared to take the 
hospital off our hands. The morning of January 29th we 
loaded packs into trucks, walked through Ceton, then did 
a column right and continued for a mile and a quarter (two 
kilometers), halting at a farm which we called Ceton Farm. 
Half of the company billeted in barns adjoining the French- 
man's house; but it soon became necessary to erect an Eng- 
lish ward tent to accommodate part of this section called the 
''First Army." The "Second Army," or the other half 
of the company, took billets in a barn about three hundred 
yards up the road at another farmhouse. 

The kitchen was located with the "First Army," but 
mess-call could be distinctly heard by the "Second Army," 
although some trouble was experienced in hearing Reveille. 
Sergeant Carroll, who was quartered in the house contiguous 
to the Second Army billets, was obligated with the responsi- 
bility of getting the men up. 

CLEANING UP 

February 1st was memoralized as the day we all got the 
homing spirit. At the conclusion of an inspection by Major 
Colbert, we were told to clean up ; that we could not go home 
until we did clean up. The Major said we were dirty; 
therefore we must be dirty. Though as members of the sani- 
tary train, the boys thought they hardly deserved the compli- 

[68] 




1 English Huts at Proven. 2. Awarded for the Battle of Champaone 
.!. Chateau de Glare. 4. Barracks kitchen. 5. Our end of the A. E. F. 364th 



F. ir. Co. Ijoarding the "Virginia 



ginian. ' fi. At Is-Sur-Tille. 



Ceton Farm 

ment. After the inspection the slogan, "If you don't clean 
up, you can't go home," came into being. 

As man acts best when under stimulus to move for an 
advantage for himself; so confidence was expressed in our 
"homing spirit" — imbued with which, to a high degree, each, 
man was known to be — to operate as a mighty activator in 
bringing about the change in our personal appearance which 
should be most salutary, which should be instrumental in 
leading us home. 

From that day forth fear, fear of being pulled out of 
line and sent to the army of occupation; fear of being left 
behind while the rest of the company went joyfully home, 
became the weighty bludgeon poised over our heads at all 
times, the psychological pressure of which was like a weight 
of sin, bearing us down. Is it any wonder our heads drooped ? 
This feeling, emanating from within, developed an outward, 
nebulous creation that walked with us by day, that slept 
with us by night — a double, invisible to others, but visible 
and exceedingly real to the one with whom, like one obsessed, 
it moved and throbbed and breathed. Thus we had a two- 
fold incentive for cleaning up : desire and fear. 

On Monday, February 3rd, at 9 o'clock the First Army, 
commanded by Sergeant ("Colonel") Bronaugh and accom- 
panied by Sergeant Jehlinger, marched to the quarters of the 
Second Army, where the entire comuany was lined up and 
put through a facing drill. Then we stood at attention for 
some minutes while "Colonel" Bronaugh inspected to see if 
we looked fit to go home. We had not practiced standing 
at attention for so long that many were found to be out of 
form. Some did not know when they were standing straight ; 
some were unable to line up properly. As a result of the 
heavy shelling they had been through, some held their heads 
too low. Others had other defects ; but they were all 
remedied temporarily by the commands of "Colonel" Bron- 
augh, who then surrendered command to Sergeant Jehlinger, 
who ma:de a few remarks on the "homing spirit." 

The company then enjoyed a few minutes platoon drill in 
the snow. Corporal Taylor, commanding the second platoon, 
had forgotten which was his left hand since the shelling in the 
Argonne and disorganized the drill rather badly. But this 
offense was easily remitted and after a few turns we were 
halted. While at rest the "Colonel" continued the .subject 

[69] 



The 364th F. H. 

of cleaning np, then we were marched back to quarters to 
open war on an army of spots. 

Scrub brushes became a necessity. These were wielded 
with a lavish hand and with the aid of soap and water, spots 
disappeared like snow before a chinook rain. We were told 
not to scrub haversacks and medical belts. They should be 
brushed only, and all surface encrusted dirt removed. 

INSPECTIONS 

There were inspections and inspections. Inspections 
stated and special. To keep the face policed at all times be- 
came a necessity, for we were told (wielding that bludgeon 
of fear), that the inspecting officer was likely to drop in 
upon us any moment like a thief in the night and woe unto us 
should we be unprepared; for upon his verdict depended our 
fate. 

TOOTHLESS JANE 

There was, at the Second Army quarters, a dame known 
as "Toothless Jane" or the "Toothless Wonder." Females 
were not very common in those days and, to us, she seemed 
good enough to look at. But when she opened her face to 
smile, as invariably she did, a toothless upper jaw was re- 
vealed, which was not pleasing to contemplate. She was a 
person of some thirty summers, wore wooden shoes and could 
turn out as much work as two ordinary men. On good terms 
with everybody, she wore the permanent smile which won 
her her title. 

BATHS 

Beginning February 6th, the company was marched to 
Ceton for a bath. Showers were improvised in a ward tent, 
the water being heated by an arrangement similar to that at 
Chateau de Grlaye. This bath was operated by Company 363 
Field Hospital, and 364 had a bath every Thursday afternoon. 
But not every time did the men use their bath privileges. 
At one time, of the number that went, only about half took 
a bath, due to the fact that no officer was present. The men 
were admitted eight at a time, and a number when they were 
drawn went through the tent without stopping, came out at 
the other end and kept going. The lure of vin rouge for 
the inner man was stronger than the appeal of "de low" for 
the outer man. The latter was "par bon" anyway. 

[70] 



Baths at Ceton 

To us today, accustomed to all modern conveniences, under 
the most sanitary conditions, the bath would be considered 
anything but a sanitary arrangement. It was located on an 
elevation that fell away sharply to the draw below, through 
which ran the stream from which the water was pumped 
into the reservoir where it was heated — a stream which, in 
this country, might have been a purling brook, but in Prance 
a vehicle for sewage. Near the end of the pipe which carried 
the warm (seldom hot) water from the reservoir, perforations 
were made. Underneath these perforations a wooden rack 
was placed, upon which the men stood to receive their 
ablutions. We were able to get a fairly decent bath after 
once getting on the rack ; but there were mud spots, partially 
spanned with boards, that had to be traversed in order to 
reach our clothing, piled on litters placed around the sides 
of the tent. To offset this the boys placed their shoes within 
reach while under the shower, then slipped them on again 
while the water ran freely down into their shoes before they 
could reach their clothing. But any kind of a bath in Prance 
was a luxury and this one filled a crying need. We had 
been deloused ; nobody but Gris had cooties. It was our 
purpose to keep clean. 

Immediately across the stream of water was the public 
wash-house to which, at all hours of the day, the women of 
the town came to wash clothes. The presence of so many 
Americans made the laundry industry profitable. Certain it 
is that the several towns and villages where the Americans 
remained for a fortnight or more, found themselves, upon 
sitting down to figure profits, many francs richer than before 
the advent of the American soldier. 

Not always were these women who came down to do 
washing old and wrinkled. Occasionally there was one young, 
bucksome, approachable, comely withal, about whom always 
clustered the usual coterie of admirers, each bidding for 
favor and vieing with one another for supremacy. The 
lovely fair, who had committed no sin, had done no wrong 
save that of being pretty, became at once the envy of the 
old and wrinkled. For nature has edicted that the Pulchri- 
tude shall not be left alone to toil, to pine ; but she of no 
charm must travel another way, for man's weakness is for 
the beautiful in women. So has it been since Adam's day. 
So must it ever be. 

[71] 



The 364th F. H. 

From being a detail to be avoided, K. P. grew in favor. 
Glasscock, Muhr, Fellinger and Duncan — the Gold Dust twins 
b}^ their own request were on permanent K. P. for two weeks. 
The kitchen being located next door to the house, frequent 
calls were made for eggs (des oeufs), which the Madame 
sold at a reduction to the K. P.s. While a K. P. could buy 
a half dozen for a foanc, others were charged a franc and 
a half, or two francs. The K. P. did his own cooking and 
lived on the fat of the land while the rest of the company 
endured army slum. To ease the monotony of the company 
mess, frequent hikes to the towns of Theligny. St. Bomert, 
La Etalouse and Ceton were made, where eggs and potatoes 
were fried over the open fire like our mothers used to do. 
It was always necessary to "proposition" our own eggs for 
they were not to be had in the open market. They were 
bought at farmhouses by the way. But there was, of course, 
usually a stock of wine on hand. Sometimes the homeward 
road moved out of normal alignment, but port was always 
made without serious mishap. Appetites were developed to 
a marked extent and to appease these — for some were always 
hungry — drinking oxtail soup made in the can, was practiced 
extensively. For this purpose raids on the kitchen were 
made — by the clever in day time, by the less clever at night — 
the goods being concealed and carried away in the clothing. 
The stock of soup and cocoa became so depleted that the K. 
P. force was instructed to be on the alert for the "French- 
men," upon whom suspicion rested for the pilfering. 

One night three raiders, while in the act, heard the smack, 
smack of footsteps approaching in the mud. Hastily con- 
cealing themselves in a nearby tool house and softly closing 
the door, they were none too soon. The irate K. P.s passed 
within a few feet, muttering and breathing threats. After 
they had safely passed, the skulkers crept out and made their 
escape. They were pursued, but not caught. And their 
identity remains unknown to this day. 

Sunday, February 9th, was celebrated by a compulsory 
hike to Ceton where the company met with the rest of the 
Sanitary Train to do honor to the late Theodore Roosevelt. 
The eulogy, delivered in the open air by a professor from the 
University of California, lasted but five minutes, and in our 
souls we blessed him for his consideration and judgment; for 
that crisp frosty morning the boys wanted to be moving. 

[72] 



Ceton 

COOTIE INSPECTION 

The next day there was a general cootie inspection at the 
Y. Orders were to strip to the waist, then line up and start 
through. One officer's duty was to see that each man carried 
his clothes in his right hand. If any were careless in the 
matter, this officer took delight in correcting the error. When 
the inspecting officer, a hard-boiled Major, was reached, a 
private relieved the one to be inspected of his clothing while 
another pulled his undershirt up over his head, the inspectee 
holding his hands high, as in the case of a hold up ; then he 
was slowly revolved. When the circuit was completed he 
was given a push, his clothes thrust into his hands and he 
was passed and out before he could see. 

THE "Y" 
The Y auditorium was a cheerful place. The floor was 
of dirt. It was damp and smelly, but the platform was of 
wood, elevated and equipped with a piano of good tone. 
At least one night a week there was an entertainment of some 
sort. Occasionally there was a fight. These functions were 
a big feature in furnishing amusement and keeping up the 
morale during these monotonously wearing weeks. Classes 
in bookkeeping, farming, horticulture, French and other sub- 
jects were conducted during the day under the best instruc- 
tors obtainable. For the purpose of securing these instruc- 
tors, the ranks of every company were combed. Three hun- 
dred and sixty-four contributed two : Binswanger, 0. A. C. 
alumnus, who occupied the chair of horticulture, and Tusler, 
bookkeeping instructor. Besides the honor of sitting with 
this guild of dignitaries, these men were relieved from all 
detail — a concession utilized to the limit. 

MOBILE EVACUATION HOSPITAL NO. 7 
During February, twenty-five men from the companj^ 
were detailed back to Chateau de Glaye, Mobile Evacuation 
Hospital No. 7 being unable to cope with the situation. There 
in that sea of mud men were d.ying every day from exposure, 
most of the cases being **flu" patients. But our boys took 
hold and with superior knowledge and training soon suc- 
ceeded in relieving the situation. 

'Mudge" Hartley was one of this detail and tells his story 
as follows: 

[73] 



The 364th F. H. 

"We sometimes think that actual battle conditions in 
war are about the worst that can exist. While this may be 
true in the larger sense, I do not think it is entirely so, 
for experience under both circumstances has convinced me 
that war holds nothing inviting either while in action or 
after action has ceased. 

"It is an unusual condition, of course, that sears the hu- 
mane touch in actions of one brother toward another. A good 
example is illustrated by an incident near the little village 
of La Ferte Bernard, France, during February, 1919. This, 
you will recall, was after hostilities had ceased and the 
officers in charge had been subjected to little or none of 
the experiences of battle conditions, but were operating 
what was known as a mobile hospital. This being the 
winter season, the weather was none too good to promote 
the comfort of those of us who lived in barns, sheds and other 
conveniences. It was also at a time when influenza was 
sweeping the country in waves. The troops of our division 
were pretty free from the disease and when they did con- 
tract it, usually threw it off. However, there were cases 
aided by exposure where pneumonia followed, and these 
victims, after several days in their camps, were removed to 
this mobile hospital. Through mismanagement of those in 
charge, the confusion and disorder soon became general after 
they took charge of the hospital work in our vicinity. Some 
of the more delirious patients jumped out of the windows 
on the second floor of the chateau and wandered into the 
moat near by. Conditions became notorious and finally a 
group of the oldest, most experienced men of the division 
who had experience both in camp and field work, were sent 
to relieve the situation. 

"Perhaps a brief description of the conditions will help 
explain the phychology of men's attitude while in these un- 
favorable circumstances. 

"We found hospital ward tents literally floating in a 
sea of thick mud from two to ten inches deep. A squad of 
men was constantly shoveling this mud about in order to 
have places that looked like trails or walks. We were given 
high top 'arctic' overshoes and gum boots to wade around 
in. The patients were assigned to a tent according to the 
severity of his case, and I was one of this relief that was 
given the night shift in the 'death tent.' The ground was 

[74] 



Chateau de Glaye 

so soft and w^et inside that the cots would sink half way 
to the springs in the mud and it was not uncommon to shovel 
mud from between the cots. Fires were kept burning at 
each end of the tent and on account of these cases being 
pneumonia-influenza, all windows were tied open. The fast, 
rattling breathing of the victims was a constant whirr, in- 
creasing through the night until it reached its crest at about 
4:00 A. M. If the patients survived the crest, they would 
be able, usually, to pull through until another night. Men 
were dying at the rate of from one to four every night. 
Along toward the last of our ten days 'relief (before 
other hospital men came to supplement the regular crew), 
this constant dying process was trying on the nerves of those 
endeavoring to relieve the suffering. I had seen death and 
suffering on the battle field, but it is endowed with a greater 
sense of forbearance on account of its very nature. Need- 
less to say, we were happy to be relieved of working under 
those conditions. Very shortly the patients were removed 
from the premises and were given better hospital facilities in 
a nearby town." 

About February 20th came a disquieting rumor that 864 
was fated to operate a hospital again. As this report per- 
sisted many pesvsimists were heard to ''sound off." But as 
the days passed and the time for departure drew steadily 
nearer, the likelihood of drawing this duty became more 
remote. 

INSPECTION MARCH 5TH 

March 5th, a Colonel inspected the company. We had 
been previously told not to scrub haversacks and medical 
belts; but through the bawling out we received from this 
Colonel, it became necessary. Even the lining of our over- 
coats did not escape his vigilant eye. Wielding the bludgeon 
of fear, he said : "If you don 't clean up you will stink by the 
time you get home." Whereupon the boys extended them- 
selves further. From this day forth cleaning became an 
obsession ; a few going so far as to wash their shelter halves, 
so "goofey" had they become. Drake and Cast, the com- 
pany tailors, established a shop in a small room in the house 
at the Second Army quarters and cleaning, pressing, alter- 
ing, sewing on chevrons, green trees and service stripes, was 
done as per schedule of prices. This relieved the two from 
K. P. and all other detail, besides netting them a few francs. 

[75] 



The 364th F. H. 

EMBARKATION INSPECTION 

March 12th, our long-looked-for, much-heralded, embarka- 
tion inspection came off. Thoughts of this inspection, to- 
gether with the ever-poised, ubiquitous, bludgeon of fear, had 
kept officers and men alike in a state bordering on distrac- 
tion. Hair splitting details, such as the correct manner of 
arranging shelter half and exact position of each article of 
equipment, had been worked out with infinite care. Instruc- 
tions as to arrangement of equipment on bunks had been 
issued, then counter instructions so often in the weeks past, 
that it seemed there was some doubt among the officers them- 
selves as to what was proper. Hardly did we get used to 
one way when a new vogue was introduced. Thus we were 
kept flopping. But every man was thoroughly conned for 
this inspection, the last official instruction regarding ar- 
rangement of equipment having been received about a week 
prior to the date. Many an evening had been spent around 
the stove scrubbing belts, scouring mess kits, cups and can- 
teens, while Vissman sang the current songs with variations 
and improvisations, or repeated his experiences with Mobile 
7 and told how he watched the boys bump off there about 
four o'clock every morning in that hospital floating in the 
sea of mud. 

Overcoats had been scrubbed inside and out, all spots had 
been removed from clothing; haversacks and medical belts 
had been scrubbed and everything was in readiness for the 
Major General or other high-ranking offical, whom we felt 
sure would do the inspecting. But in reality it was done by 
no less a personage than a dapper Second Lieutenant — the 
first time we had ever been inspected by a shave-tail — and 
the last. But he was fair. The highest score made was by 
two or three who forgot to come to attention while being 
inspected. 

This inspection was conducted by the side of the road, 
near the First Army headquarters. The Second Army, 
therefore, had to carry their equipment down for the purpose, 
then back again. Now the inspection was over, we were 
passed and told we might go home. For which relief we 
sighed and thought no more of the bludgeon for a few days. 



[76] 



Ceton 
THE BIG DINNER 

Sunday, March 16th, was celebrated with a big chicken 
dinner. It was conceded to be the best we had had in Prance. 
As usual, on state occasions, Newell's services were requisi- 
tioned and he surely did wield a wicked knife. Kinsey, Key- 
ing, Newell, Jordan and Meyers were the K.P.s,and Stiegeler, 
Metz, Ridenour and Goodrich were the cooks on duty. Even 
Le Grandeur, our ex-cook, who concocted the historic Christ- 
mas dinner, could not keep out of the kitchen. Every man 
took away all his messkit would hold. Through the kind- 
ness of the farmer's wife, tables were arranged in the house 
and resting messkits on these, we stood to. That dinner was 
a foretaste of good things awaiting us at home. Hardly shall 
the event be forgotten by any of the boys. 

Just before dinner a group photo was taken by a native 
photographer. In these latter days of our sojourn at Ceton 
Farm when every straw was a living sign-board pointing 
tow^ard St. Nazaire and expectation was high, this dual 
feature was looked upon as a farewell to France. 



ACTIVITIES 

Activities during this, our last week at Ceton, were a 
series of hikes, setting-up exercises, ball, and completing pre- 
parations for leaving. Barracks bags — the property of 
Sergeants and Corporals — had been packed, one bag to every 
nine men. 

We began cleaning quarters March 21st, but before we 
left, Dore Baumgart was discharged and went to his home 
in London, and ''Slick" Meyers was transferred to the Y. 
He left for Paris and had sent for his wife whose home was 
at Steilacoom, Washington, to join him there. Meyers learned, 
after getting to Paris, that his wife w^as not permitted to 
come to him; whereupon he lost no time making arrange- 
ments to go home with all possible speed. "Kaiser" Wilhelm 
went to the university at Beaune, Prance. By his own re- 
quest, Captain Brooke was transferred to the Red Cross 
and headed for Paris, and Lieutenant Vanderboget was 
transferred to the Army of Occupation. 

[77] 



The 364th F. H. 

GOOD-BYE CETON 

By 8:00 A. M., March 23rd, packs had been rolled and 
dumped at the turn of the road where they were picked 
up by two trucks and started toward Le Ferte, the entrain- 
ing point, accompanied by a small baggage detail. 

As we did not leave until 1 :30 in the afternoon, there 
was much time to stand about and think upon many things. 
That "though change be for the better, there is something 
sad in change" had lost nothing of its truth, seemed evi- 
dent. One who ranged about searching for these symptoms, 
came upon George Stiegeler standing — very still — in front 
of where the kitchen had been, a smoking cigar between his 
fingers, an odd look on his face and a far-away look in his 
eyes. But George was not smoking. When spoken to he did 
not reply. Quietly withdrawing (for the ground on which 
he stood was hallowed), George was left alone with his 
company. It was good. George was a cook. 

"Toothless Jane" found it hard to smile. In her voice 
was detected a new note, more eloquent than any sentiment, 
and a look that made us turn away and get awfully busy. 
Here we had been since January 29th, the longest we had 
remained in any one place since leaving Camp Lewis. We 
had come and gone at will, had become, as it were, a part 
of the community. Now we were to be missed. Toothless 
Jane had washed and mended our clothing and sewed on 
buttons. She was a good scout. 

But we must away. After lunching lightly on bread, 
cheese, and the other bits that were left, the company lined 
up in the road at 2 :30, answered roll, and after each man 
had been given a banana and a cookie, did a right by fours, 
and with a whoop of joy, we were on our way toward St. 
Nazaire. Passing through Ceton there were more familiar 
faces, more wan smiles, added memories to carry home. 

Taking the route that leads via Chateau de Glaye, we 
arrived at Le Perte Bernard at 6 :30, just as it started to 
rain. After locating packs, we stood for forty-five minutes 
in the rain listening to General Johnson's talk, then filed 
through the Y for coffee and cocoa and a good assortment of 
candy. Entrainment was at 8:00 o'clock. Although straw 
or hay was not allowed in these box cars when occupied by 
troops, two bales were smuggled into each car before start- 

[78] 



I 



MONTOIR 

ing, and scattered over the floor after we got under way. 
It has been a subject of much discussion that, during the war, 
a mule or horse was not only of more value than a man, but 
was treated with more consideration, received better care. 
In transportation he had all the hay he could eat and plenty 
to lie down on ; while a man was thrown into the same car 
— often before it had been properly cleaned — with nothing 
but the floor to rest on. Men were crowded into these 
cars in such numbers that the only time they had room 
enough to breathe was when everybody stood up. Here is 
the way we spent the night : 

''Whose foot is that?" 

"It's my head." 

''Whose ear is that?" 

"It's my nose." 

"Get your foot out of my mouth, you ." 

"Whose leg am I settin' on?" 

"It's my head." 

"What's the matter Bill, can't you keep your foot still?" 
As a tremulous foot poised dangerously near a nose. 

"My leg's got a cramp in it." 

"Aw, my foot's asleep, blankety, blank, blank." 

As to the already sickening air the expletives of brimstone 
added their quota, and the pressure of legs, heads, feet and 
bodies mingled with the reeking odor of smelly feet, com- 
posed a general atmosphere as of some invisible force crowd- 
ing, pressing in. threatening to squeeze the life-blood out of 
one. This was a nightmare like those enjoyed enroute to the 
front in hommes 40, Cheveaux 8. Thank God ! it is the last. 

MONTOIR 

About 1 :30 the next day we pulled into St. Nazaire, loaded 
packs into trucks and walked six miles to Reserve Camp E 6, 
Montoir, arriving at 4:00 P. M. 

Barracks here were similar to those at Camp 1, where we 
spent the month of August, 1918. but more sanitary. Two 
bales of cork shavings were allotted to our barracks. These 
were opened and the men allowed a portion for each tick. 
The mad scramble that ensued was refereed by two Sergeants, 
the best grabbers getting the most cork. At the close of 
the contest the ground was covered with cork. What was 

[791 



The 364th F. H. 

left in the sacks was put on the slats and slept on. The 
poorest grabbers slept cold. 

Now two new slogans were minted: ''You can't holler 
in line. If you do, you don't go home," and "Obey all rules 
or you are hooked to stay over here." Again that bludgeon 
of fear. Everybody seemed to have gone crazy. 

TAG INSPECTION 

March 25th there was an indentification tag inspection by 
Major Colbert, our much-wounded, battered and striped Com- 
mander. He had come out of an auto accident that laid him 
up in the hospital for several days, only a few days earlier, 
and his anterior cranial anatomy was still undergoing re- 
pairs. 

EXCHANGE 

At this stage we were required to exchange our francs 
for United States money. The sight of greenbacks and the 
feel of them in our palm brought an added feeling that we 
were drawing, each day, nearer the country where men 
felt human, lived normally, and where we too might live 
anew. This hope never failed to bring its accompanying 
thrill. 

COMMISSARY 

The commissary service here was the best. When open 
there was always a line through the door. Because busi- 
ness was so good it frequently became necessary to close 
the door any hour in order to check up and to receive and 
distribute supplies. Of the immense quantities of candy, 
cigars, tobacco, cigarettes, etc., that was sold; canned fruit — 
especially peaches — was the most popular, and for this 
reason it was not unusual to find, upon calling for it, the 
stock sold out. 

ACTIVITIES 

Inspections were held every day, there were setting-up 
exercises, drill and ball. At night, smokers and shows. Prom 
among the numbers of soldiers passing through, some really 
fair players were drawn. As a result there was a snappy 
game of ball occasionally. To view these exhibitions the 
spectators stood around the field or climbed upon build- 
ings and fences, wearing pieces of paper stuck under their 
caps to shield their eyes from the glare of the sun. Fancy 

[80] 



MONTOIR 

may readily conjure the scene. Frequently there were games 
between colored soldiers. At the time 364 was there, colored 
soldiers were numerous. It is not known whether Dave 
Rodgers, of Louisiana, saluted a colored officer. Dave had 
been heard to declare he would not. 

THE CUISINE 

Casual Kitchen No. 3, a building 300x300 feet, was 
operated by negro soldiers. The men lined up before it 
in triple line and kept this formation until served at the far 
end of the building. The slow tedious process of getting up 
to be served was a severe strain on the forbearance of some 
of the more spirited, less well controlled, who could not re- 
frain from pushing in line. Doubtless it was for the instruc- 
tion of this element and in the attempt to control it, that the 
slogan ''You can't holler in line. If you do you don't go 
home" was coined. To enforce this law, officers were 
stationed both at the entrance and in the mess hall. The 
capacity of this kitchen was about fifteen thousand men 
per hour, and those coons did wield a wicked spoon. The 
first morning they were serving eggs with the menu. When 
the eggs ran out, the servitor announced, ''Uncle Sam's hens 
quit layin'. " 

POLISHING MESS KITS 

Now came a solemn warning about mess kits. And just 
at the time when everybody w^as feeling clean and smugly 
self-complacent. It was the final hurdle placed in the way 
to teach us that too much confidence is folly, and most of 
all that we had yet a long way to go before getting home. 
Mess kits that had been polished to the shining point at 
Ceton Farm were gone over aagin. Encrusted dirt that had 
been carried from the States was gouged out of intricate 
crannies with pointed instruments. If the work had been 
thorough before, it was exhaustive now ; for the word was 
that the next inspection would be by a crank whose hobby 
was mess kits and who was endowed with the ability to see 
dirt where no one else could see it. Furthermore the promise 
of a protracted sojourn in that land of frogs until such 
time that said mess kits, w^th appurtenances, might appear 
without spot or blemish, was held out. Again the bludgeon 
of fear. But all went safely over the hurdle. 

[81] 



The 364th F. H. 

At this time Major Colbert, who had been Commander of 
Field Hospitals, took command of the company. 

Sunday, March 30th, we were expected, according to 
rumor, to leave on the "Lancaster;" but as we did not, the 
hard-boiled charged it up to S. O. S. account. In this manner 
the week dragged by. April 2nd, a detail, consisting of 
Garrard, Binswanger, Helmer, Holt, Kaufman, Van Winkle, 
Vranizan, Brown, Drew and Bill Stipe, in charge of Corporals 
Sheeley and Taylor, was sent to unload a car of wood. This 
detail wondered all day as they worked, unloading and 
piling, why they, members of the 316 Sanitary Train, were 
required to do work that Boche prisoners were doing. More 
especially as the prospects of getting any benefit from their 
labor, other than that of exercise, seemed exceedingly remote. 
About 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon somebody spread the 
rumor (no doubt framed for the detail alone, as it was sup- 
posed they would need cheering up), that 364 had received 
orders to move at 5:00 o'clock the next morning and that 
the detail should report to quarters at once. At the barracks 
no order had been received. S. 0. S. 

During this week "Lest We Forget," or the story of the 
sinking of the "Lusitania," was shown on the screen at 
the theatre. This reel was recognized as the same as shown 
in Seattle in May, 1918. But men who occupied comfortable 
seats to view it the first time stood for two hours to see it 
repeated over there. Not a man in 364 shall forget. 

EMBARKATION INSPECTION 

April 6th, at 1:30 P. M., like a bolt out of a cloudless 
sky came the order that sent us scurrying again. It was 
for our final physical inspection. The boys shall always 
remember this inspection, especially the manner in which 
it was conducted. Every part of it was done on the run. 
Bach man was stripped to the waist and went through carry- 
ing his clothes in one hand. In the first room an officer 
seated at a table glanced at him and waved him on. In 
the next room another officer, standing in a corner, barked, 
"Say ah." Without stopping, the next move was a column 
right. In the next room the victim was checked out as in- 
spected and passed. And throughout the ordeal even the 
officers inspecting did not find it necessary — or possible — 
to maintain an air of gravity. 

[82] 



St. Nazaire 

THE EMBARKATION 

April 7th we arose at 3:30 A. M. and rolled packs. 
Breakfasted at 5 :00 and at 6 :45 lined up in overcoats, helmets 
and gas masks ; packs being sent ahead by truck. But before 
leaving the barracks a policing detail combed the ground 
inside the barracks with a fine tooth comb and burned the 
refuse in the stove. In this particular not a square inch 
was overlooked for it had been reported that an outfit had 
undertaken to board their ship and were just in the act 
when they were stopped by an officer, taken back to the 
barracks from whence they came and made to clean barracks. 
In addition, they forfeited their chance to sail on that boat. 
It was many a day until they were given another. With 
visions of a like fate staring at us, that barracks was left 
as clean as though it had never been occupied. Again the 
bludgeon of fear. Should we ever be free from it? Were 
we never to get out from under its menacing poise? 

While waiting, with the rest of the Sanitary Train, the 
order to march, Captain Koehn who had been with the com- 
pany since December, 1917, came down the line shaking 
hands and bidding the boys good-bye. There was a little of 
the irony of fate in the fact that, more than any of the 
others officers, he was anxious to go home and almost at the 
last moment he had received orders to remain for a few 
days. But he was apprehensive that those few days might 
lengthen and thus he should be kept indefinitely. As to this 
there is uncertainty. Lieutenants Corper and Tommersori 
were sent home with infantry companies of the 91st Division 

As we marched out through the camp, we met detail after 
detail of Boche prisoners. G-lancing sharply into their faces 
in an effort to get their minds, most of them appeared as 
grown men with the mind of a child ; although here and 
there was a face that seemed to reflect a degree of intelli- 
gence. Now and then a remark of hate and a malevolent 
look was noted as they beheld us on our victorious way home. 
The disparity between their lot and ours was not one calcu- 
lated to inspire songs of praise, and their mental attitude nia\- 
well be imagined. These Boches were detailed to work ou 
the road with pick and shovel under guard of American 
soldiers. 

Passing through St. Nazaire, French girls called bon soir 

[83] 



The 364th F. H. 

and good-bye through the windows, and groups of Americans 
whose sailing date was as yet undetermined looked enviously 
on, and colored soldiers in the embarkation service murmured 
it and repeated : ''I know you're glad to go." 

From 10:00 A. M. till 2:30 P. M. we waited in the street 
for our turn to walk up the gang-plank. During the interval 
the Red Cross served deviled ham sandwiches and jelly. 
After the men had been steadily embarking for two hours, 
there was a pause in that long line, the men were seen to 
stop suddenly, face about and start down the plank. What 
was wrong? Were we to be sent back to camp? Had some 
outfit failed to clean up and w^ere we thus to pay the 
penalty? Were we not going home after all? This hideous 
spectre was not dispelled until the slow-moving line began 
to advance again. This time the bludgeon decended harm- 
lessly. 

During the embarkation many a kodak was trained upon 
the line to fire its parting volley. Baked potatoes, "hot 
dogs" and black tea was our supper, and after eating we 
were ready to turn in ; for we had risen at an early hour. 
The irregular eating of that day was a fitting preparation 
for the seasickness which was so prevalent during the voyage. 

GOOD-BYE FRANCE 

At 8 :00 'clock on the morning of April 8th, we weighed 
anchor and said good bye to France. But it was a tearless 
parting. As the shoreline receded we watched it with 
mingled thoughts ; but the biggest was that the long period 
of monotony and uncertainty was at last ended, and under 
our feet we could feel the solid decks of the boat that was 
surely bearing us out and away toward home. Toward this 
day had we long looked forward, whiling away many idle 
moments in its contemplation, picturing what might be our 
outstanding sentiments and emotions. They were mingled. 
But chiefly we rejoiced in the knowledge that, as the shores 
of the old world receded, so, in inverse ratio, should the 
borders of that newer, that better world, unfold before our 
eager eyes. 

Though a fair-sized boat the ''Virginian" was crowded 
quarters for forty-one hundred men, consisting of the 316th 
Sanitary Train, the 316th Supply Train, the 316th Ambulance 
Train, and several casual companies. The mess hour was a 

[84] 




i'h-ester K. Gast 
Dr. Spiro Sargentisl 



Harry Evans 
Ralph Jordan 
Geoi-gp Sell 111 tz 



Harley C. Griswold 
Lieut. Rosenthal 



I 



The "Virginian" 

glorious one. At this time stairways leading up to the mess • 
hall were choked, many having to wait hours during the 
process before being able to reach the mess-hall. It was at 
such times that, with the combined roll, tilt and careen of 
the boat and the stuffy air, many received their first baptism 
of seasickness and were compelled to bolt for the open air 
with empty mess kit under their arm. All the decks were 
of iron, the floor of the mess-hall was always slick, if not 
sloppy, and accidents with filled mess kits were not in- 
frequent. The tables, though cleaned after a fashion after 
each meal, were not appetizing to contemplate, and if it had 
not been for the fact that the boys ate out of their mess kits, 
it is doubtful if even soldiers could have eaten off of them. 
Near the wash vats, slop cans were placed. At each meal 
those sitting near enjoyed the toothsome sight of some who 
had just eaten, and not being able to contain, emptying into 
these receptacles. However, like good soldiers, we paid no 
attention to the matter and proceeded with our eating. But 
with the sloppy condition of floor and tables, and the revolt- 
ing odors of the place, it was hard to get away with it. 

Unquestionably the poor food, combined with the crowded 
condition of the boat and the rough weather, made the per- 
centage rating of seasickness high, and many who had es- 
tablished for themselves a record for seamanship on the 
''Olympic," ignominiously lost it on the ''Virginian." Three 
storms, which occurred on the third, eighth and eleventh 
days, were weathered and most of the time in between the 
water was rough ; though crossing the gulf stream the sixth 
and seventh days the water was smooth and the weather 
mild, while down below it was hot and blankets were dis- 
pensed with. 

April 16th, the ninth day, many radio messages were sent 
to relatives at home notifying them of the day we should 
arrive in New York. 

CRAP GAMES 

The voyage was characterized by one outstanding fea- 
ture that discounted all others more than any actual com- 
parison that could be applied to it. The sight was like unto 
that of a pack of ravenous, barking, snarling wolves closing 
in upon their prey, yet fearful and at bay. But upon closer 
approach what is seen? Only two small, speckled cubes 

[85] 



The 364th F. H. 

rolling innocently upon an O. D. blanket. They shot craps all 
day ; they shot all night. They pawed the air ; they worked 
themselves into a frenzy. Vehemently, rabidly, they played ; 
some making a small fortune, others losing their all. It 
was said one man cleaned up fifteen thousand which, for a 
soldier, was something. 

With absolutely no regard for the rights of others who 
were trying to sleep, they sprawled upon the hatchway, 
sticking their feet under bunks, making night hideous for the 
occupants. If at last there was one Avho had the nerve 
to get up and switch off the light, these fiends, in whose 
arteries the fever ran hotly, slunk away cursing him for the 
deed and sought another deck or section where the light still 
burned, where they might continue to carry on. By day 
some watched and watched until they too became infected, 
when down upon the 0. D. they flopped and rolled the bones 
they had never rolled before. ''Monte Carlo" we called it. 
Compared to which Monte Carlo was a young men's bible 



Pay day occurred soon after sailing and with nothing to 
do and the confinement of the boat, this money was as 
veritable coals of fire in the pocket. The boys could not 
rest until they had put it into circulation. This gambling, 
though against military law, was universal and allowed to go 
on in utmost abandon under the very eyes of the officers 
on board, who closed their eyes and made no effort to stop 
it. Which was additional evidence that the men were almost 
out of the army. 

Now that inspections were over and we were out from 
under the bludgeon of fear, at least for the period of the 
passage, many a face long intimately acquainted with the 
razor, became estranged from that implement. Men shaved 
only for their own personal comfort. There was a two-chair 
barber shop on the upper deck and outside its door the wait- 
ing list of grizzled jowls stood a continuous performance. 
To stand there from morning until mess-call, being next in 
line, waiting for the door to open for one to slip out when 
he should pop in. At this juncture for an officer to walk 
up and order, ' ' Everybody off deck. " " Everybody below, ' ' 
was the regular thing. Possibly this one intended to forego 
dinner. It made no difference. Orders must be obeyed. 
So he goes below, lies in his bunk, eats no dinner, loses his 

[86] 



Aboard the "Virginian" 

place in line, loses his shave, bestows a few compliments, and 
feels more like a bear robbed of her young than a human. 
''You can't sit here, j^ou can't stand here, you can't stay 
here" — the slogan, born on the "Olympic" and old in story, 
had lost none of its efficacy; the slogan that shall embellish 
many a tale handed down to posterity. Do they ask why we 
' ' love ' ' the army ? The above incident is one of the hundreds 
that could be used to illustrate why we do. 

Saturday evening, April 19th, all on board were straining 
their eyes for a sight of land. Once, standing on the bow, 
some of the boys thought they saw it; but a too eager im- 
agination was playing pranks, picturing an illusion in a 
heavy blanket of haze. Land was yet beyond the hump. 
That night some bunks were tenantless. About midnight we 
picked up Sandy Hook light flashing off our port bow. At 
2 :00 A. M. the faint blush of the Brooklyn and Long Island 
lights were seen on our starboard bow. This on a clear, 
starry night with a three-quarter moon riding at an angle of 
thirt}^ degrees. These scenes marked the beginning of the 
close of a none too auspicious passage. For twelve days since 
putting out of St. Nazaire we had tossed about on the face of 
the deep, with strong head winds most of the way and en- 
countering three sou'wester squalls which lashed the waves 
into foam, transmuting the general surface into gray velvet. 

Picture standing on the deck watching the long, white 
lines of skirmish shoot out over the top, covering light green ; 
and the inky patches in between. We muse. Perhaps it is of 
the Belgian Rose we are thinking — the smuggling, cud- 
dling Belgian Rose with luscious brown orbs and soft whis- 
pering voice. Or perhaps it is of the sweet ma cherie we 
dream — the dainty lass, who looked regretful, sad eyed 
whose roses faded, who was desolated at parting. Or it may 
be the home folks are uppermost in our thoughts. We won- 
der how we shall find them. When all of a sudden — 

' ' Careen ! ' ' says the boat ; 

**Squeam!" says the stomach; 

"Latrine!" says the head — 

And s'teen to one we are acting mess sergeant to the 
scaly squad. 

"What are we coming to?" says the leader of the fish. 

"On right into line, march! Company — halt! Front I 
Fall out for mess." 

[87] 



The 364th F. H. 

The spectacle of hundreds of men giving, in this way, 
of their life's blood to the Allied Cause, was not without its 
thrills ; but it, smacked of extortion. Not much willingness 
in the giving was manifest. Upon arrival, uniforms were 
found to be several sizes too large. However, when it is 
considered how the boat, like a porpoise, stuck her nose into 
the trough of the sea then, cork like, balanced over the 
crest of the next hillock, the propellers threshing the air, the 
pistons working like shuttlecocks; it is not appalling that 
schools of the finny tribe trailed our wake and the seagull 
was always in the offing. 

Just at sunrise on Easter morning (what time more fit- 
ting?), we dropped anchor in the lower harbor. While rid- 
ing at anchor, a booming cheer sounded off on our port, as 
the ''Great Northern" shot past with springs in her heels, 
her decks a solid mass of brown. She had left Brest after 
the ' ' Virginian ' ' had sailed and was scheduled to precede us 
into the harbor. Moving forward, we were met by the 
Mayor's committee of welcome with a motion picture ma- 
chine that filmed us as we passed, waving and cheering. A 
band, playing, followed vis in. To us the countenance of the 
Goddess seemed more benignant than usual. She almost 
smiled. As the boys looked upon her they thought of their 
oft repeated promise that if they ever looked her in the face 
again, she would have to do an ''about face." 

The climax came when the ' ' Virginian ' ' warped up along- 
side Pier No. 7, Hoboken, and that two-inch hemp was thrown 
out. We watched it slowly tighten and coming to a stop 
amid the playing of a band on the pier, a roar went up that 
was not of grief and many an eye was not abnormally dry. 
Certainly we were the best satisfied crowd on God's watery 
earth. 

DEBARKATION 

Debarking about noon we were fed at the debarkation 
mess hall, as large as that at St. Nazaire and better equipped. 
A time-saving feature of this cuisine was found in using 
other mess kits, which were washed by the service. Passing 
on through the building, we returned to the place where our 
packs were piled, under guard, shouldered them and marched 
directly to the ferry. Passing down under the bridges we 
swung around the lower end of Manhattan Island, landing 

[88] 



Camp Upton 

at Long Island City. On the way from the ferry to the train, 
women on either side handed out cake, which we ate on the 
run. On the train fresh milk was on tap — a luxury long 
missed. Arrived at Camp Upton at 7 :00 P. M. Through the 
inefficiency of someone, five attempts were made before our 
barracks were located; but near midnight we went to bed, 
tired and exhausted from the trip and finding it hard to 
realize that again this was America — our own — and not for- 
eign soil upon which we were resting. 

CAMP UPTON 

From this time on it was ours to go and come at will any- 
where on the cantonment. The hostess houses, as well as the 
stores, served meals cafeteria style, and the boys made uf) 
for lost time. To sit down at a real table with a well equipped 
tray seemed like an entirely new experience, as if we were 
doing something we had never done before. To sit down in 
an easy chair in the cozy quarters of a hostess house and take 
up a magazine — that, too, seemed a new experience, and some- 
way we felt ill at ease and out of place there. Even to re- 
move the overseas cap seemed a strange thing to do. These 
hostess house accommodations were used and appreciated to 
the full. 

The evening of the first day at Camp Upton, 364 was de- 
loused and moved to another quarter of the camp, out of the 
unclean zone, where we rested five days. During this time 
everybody had a pass to New York and a few also went to 
Washington, D. C. The sixth day the company moved to 
depot brigade quarters where we were split up into camps 
according to the several locations of our homes. 

April 29th, Top Sergeant Hershner was made the recipient 
of a gold watch purchased in New York by John Helmer, 
Wm. Stipe and J. Vranizan, and presented by the boys. The 
Top was quite taken by surprise and was not able, at first, 
to understand what was the occasion of his arraignment. 

It seemed that the company was marooned on a No Man's 
Land of America. Nothing grows on that flat, white, sandy, 
wind-swept island but pines and they are scrawny and 
jagged, reminding one of the shell swept foliage of NoMan's 
Land. But the fact that it was the soil of our native land 
lent a strangely comfortable sense of propinquity. 

[89] 



The 364th F. H. 

ENTRAINING AND THE TRIP ACROSS CONTINENT 

At 5:15 P. M., of May 2nd, we entrained and started 
slowly on the long roll across the continent. The boys 
drew a deep breath replete with satisfaction for this was 
the moment next in importance to that of the embarkation at 
St. Nazaire, the moment marking the beginning of the last 
leg of the homeward journey. 

At the Pennsylvania Station, New York, while the train 
stopped half an hour, the Red Cross women served cookies 
and coffee. Then we rolled under Little Old New York and 
North River, coming up on the Jersey Shore, and sped off 
westward into the night. 

Passing through the Catskills by the place where Rip Van 
Winkle did his famous twenty-year stunt, by Seneca Lake 
and the south end of Lake Huron, we stopped at Niagara at 
1 :30 P. M., the next day, spending two hours there. Swede 
Anderson and J. Vranizan distinguished themselves by get- 
ting left when the train pulled out. However, at Chicago the 
next day when the train stopped two hours, they overtook 
and rejoined the companj^ Stopping an hour at Dubuque, 
the Red Cross served coffee, pie and candy, and a throng of 
people was out to welcome us. Also at Omaha, Grand Island 
and North Platte the Red Cross women were on hand with 
refreshments. We stopped an hour at Green River and at 
Pocatella five hours, taking a swim at the Y and strolling 
about town. At La Grande and Pendleton the Red Cross 
served. The company was given a dance at Pendleton, be- 
ginning at 10:00 P. M. At midnight we pulled out. 

At Troutdale, Mayor Baker met the train and accom- 
panied us into Portland. As we pulled in over the river at 
8 :00 o 'clock, the morning of May 8th, amid the shrieks of 
whistles and the spouting of water by the fire boat, ''Geo. 
H. Williams," it was a moment for thrills. At the depot 
were waiting relatives who received us with open arms. 

Home at last! Does anyone know what it meant to us? 
Only we who went, who saw, felt and endured the things we 
have tried to set forth in this little book, and much more 
not here recorded, for it would be impossible to tell it all, 
can fully appreciate what it meant to be home again. 

The honor of leading the parade from the depot to the 
Liberty Temple was awarded to 364. This brought us imme- 

[90] 



Portland 

diately in front of Mayor Baker and within sound of his 
voice when he made the address of welcome. Major Colbert 
followed with a short talk in which he told the people that 
"364 had made good over there — every one of them." 
After breakfast at the Benson the boys were at liberty to do 
as they pleased until 1 :00 A. M. that night, when the train 
pulled out for Camp Lewis where the machinery for grinding 
us out was set in motion. The process commenced at 6 :00 
A. M. at the depot, and by 2 :00 P. M. of the following day, 
May 10th, the last man was out of the army. 

With the honorable discharge safe in our inside pocket, 
our railroad ticket purchased, the Y man had shaken our 
hand, wishing us good luck, and we found ourselves outside 
the door free men. The air seemed freer, lighter. EVom our 
shoulders a great weight had fallen. Now across the canton- 
ment, singly and in pairs, toward the station was the exodus, 
each man bearing a feeling of detachment. Something was 
missing. For twenty-two months the company had been 
together, worked together, moved together. Each man had 
come to feel the welding influence of unity, and there had 
grown up a strong feeling of interdependency. But now 
each man was to be on his own. The sensation was both 
unique and strange. 

From Camp Lewis to the Land of the Screaming Shell and 
back again, we bring experiences, some of which we have 
here tried to record, experiences that make us richer, which 
need not the aid of this volume, for their impress shall 
never fade from memory. We have taken our chance, we 
have risked all that democracy might live. Now that we 
are home again, it is ours to again merge with those who 
stood to the guns at home, who kept the "home fires burn- 
ing," and to take up anew the burden where it fell at the 
call of the colors. 

And when this generation shall have gone the way of all 
the earth, the rising generation and generations yet unborn, 
shall have knowledge from this record that this group of 
men did their simple duty in the great crisis. 



[91 



The 364th F. H. 

PART IV 
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THEM 

Harold Hershner, a product of Corvallis, Oregon, August 
31, 1887. This young man first entered the 364th as a pri- 
vate, and after looking the field over decided the job he was 
cut out for was mess sergeant. After three days on K. P. 
he wired home and told the folks he had made a mistake. 
He then transferred his affections to the Q. M. department, 
liking it so well he accepted a warrant as sergeant. Still 
seeking higher honors he won his chevrons as sergeant first 
class, and still kept going until he gained the title of to)) 
kicker. 

Harold had the habit of giving orders, but, at times, neg- 
lected to follow them. The result of one of these was six 
hours in the hoosegow aboard the ''Olympic" on our trip 
overseas. During civilian life he follows the occupation of 
banking, and can be located in Hood River. Oregon, behind 
the bars of the Butler Banking Company. After working 
hours he can be found in a little house on the hill, with his 
C. O., Mrs. Harold Hershner. 

We have with us another notable of banking fame. Fin- 
ley D. McNaughton, one of the shining lights of the Lum- 
bermen's Trust Company, Portland, Ore. ''Mac." as the 
boys called him, had a start on the rest of them, as the first 
time he put on the 0. D. he found his stripes already there, 
and while he was not looking someone stuck on another one, 
making him sergeant first class. Mac proceeded to mess 
the company up with his fours east and west, and gave it up 
as a bad job. While overseas Mac got lost and before he 
found the company again he absorbed so much scenery and 
incidents that it made us all envious of his "good luck.'' 
Before joining the Service, Mac was connected with the 
newspaper game. Being well read and always well informed 
on any argument that came up, he was generally called to 
settle disputes, especially regarding pinochle, five hundred 
or seven-up, for he was a wicked player along these lines. 
After his discharge, finding life a little lonely, he found 
himself paying the way for two, being married a few months 
ago. 

[92] 




Clifford W. Duncan 
•R>!irin,o- Bill" Stipe 



Duncan C. McLean 

Ge:)rge Pettengill 

Edw. R. Barendi'ick 



Dom Vranizan 
Jason F. Yon WinkI 



What We Know About Them 

Louis J. Bronaugh hailed from the Rose City. ' * Colonel, ' ' 
as he was known by the boys, like all other poor boys trying 
to get along in the world, started his career in the army as 
mess sergeant ; stuck with it until we reached Belgium, where 
he was promoted to sergeant first class. Being a strict 
disciplinarian, Louis had the boys worried ; but not as much 
as he thought. At present you will find him selling automo- 
biles for the Northwest Auto Company, and between puffs on 
that grand old pipe with the "A" on it, he says ''business is 
good." 

Walter A. Hummel, a product of Portland in the yea»* 
1892. Walt was one of those easy going fellows, and if a 
vote were called for the most popular man in the company, he 
would win by a mile. He was one of the company's shining 
athletes, holding records for running, also holding several 
medals and prizes: one especially valued, that he left in 
Ghent, Belgium. Like the rest of the N. C. O's., he was one 
of the originals leaving Portland. Starting out as a private, 
becoming assistant mess sergeant at Camp Lewis, and a few 
months before departure for Prance, received his sergeaney. 
At present he is located in Eugene, Oregon, the proud posses- 
sor of a new wife and a progressive confectionery store. 

Geo. H. Jehlinger — nobody could forget. A product of 
Chicago, and why he picked on Portland for a home, nobody 
knows. Before answering "here" at the roll-call, he was 
emploj^ed by the Meier & Prank Company, as the head of 
one of their departments. Being an affable fellow, and 
always sticking to his comrades, no matter where, he proved 
his mettle on two occasions: once in Centralia, Wash., and 
again in Prance when, one night it was rather noisy overhead, 
he stuck to a certain sergeant who had sought shelter in a 
dug-out, assuring the excited one ''that everything was 
alright." At present he is still connected with the M. & P. 
Company, and from the latest reports, he is doing fine. 

Of all men we had, there is one the boys always kept 
track of. He answered to the roll-call by the name of Karl R. 
Madison. "Maddy," as they named him, always told the 
boys that any time he could be of service to them, he would 
gladly do so. Leaving his job and coming direct to the 
recruiting office from Holman's Undertaking establishm.ent, 

[93] 



The 364th F. H. 

he signed with John Gruy Strohm as one of the original sev- 
enty-nine. From reports on the other side they rather 
thought he would be a valuable fixture to the company. 
Maddy came from Omaha, and during his tour around the 
States, decided to settle down in Portland. Since his dis- 
charge he found that single blessedness was out of date; 
therefore, following the footsteps of a few others of his 
company, has settled down for ''better or worse '' Maddy 
was always careful, always watchful, about what he did. In 
fact, in Belgium, during a short walk behind the lines, spying 
an aeroplane overhead and, as ever, always cautious, think- 
ing it a Fritz, he came near falling into the river trying to 
hide in the grass. At present you will find him in his regu- 
lar line of business with Finley & Son, local uadertakers, 
Portland, Oregon. 

At the corner grocery store, the tobacco chewers league 
of Hicksville are still talking about Clyde Walters. They 
say, back there, he was the best piccolo players in those 
parts, and before the war was over he would carve a name 
for himself otherwise. But at last too late. The wal* ended 
too soon and found Clyde a first class sergeant Not only 
that, but he was president, secretary and treasurer of the 
Sun Dodgers' Organization. Next to Colonel Seville's 
forty thieves, the Sun Dodgers came next, holding all rec- 
ords for the 91st. Clyde entered the company as one of 
the original members, being too heavy for light work, weigh- 
ing around two hundred pounds, and too light for heavy, he 
decided to pick a "soft spot" in the G. M. department of 
the company, a position he held until his return. At present 
Clyde is a member of the John A. Walter Tire Company, and 
during his spare moments is studying dentistry at the North 
Pacific Dental College. 

Edward W. Conroy claimed Montana as his home State 
and Anaconda as his home town. Arriving in Camp Lewis, 
he became affiliated with the 364th soon after. Connie could 
always be depended on to work hard all the time, even while 
playing his favorite game of indoor baseball. At present 
Connie's address is unknown; but no doubt 515 Cherry 
Street, Anaconda, Mont., would reach him. 

Edmund F. Munly first saw the light of day in Portland, 

[94] 



What We Know About Them 

about 1895. At the first call, he left a good position with the 
Bank of California, to take the midnight trip to Camp Lewis. 
The C. O., finding that Ed was a marvel at the "hunt and 
peck system," decided the place for him was in the com- 
pany's office — a position Ed could never get away from. 
While across on the other side, he was rewarded with a war- 
rant as sergeant. Having a little Irish blood in his veins, Ed 
was inclined, at times, to get hot under the collar and boil 
over. The above condition became so serious at Roulers, 
Belgium, that it was necessary for him to leave the company 
for a few weeks and have a few dozen lanced and take a 
serum cure. At present, Ed can be found doing business 
at his old stand with the Bank of California, Portland, Ore- 
gon, looking out through the bars as teller. 

Who could forget the name of ''Red" Glen W. Sheeley, 
of Timber, Oregon, as his service record read? He was in 
the transfer business at the above place and hearing the 
call, came and joined his lot with the 364th. Glen, being 
very young and full of pep, was always up to something. 
As we rejnember, while out swimming in the Bay of Biscay, 
St. Nazaire, he was counted missing when the company was 
lined up for its march back to the barracks. The last seen 
of him was a spot of red putting out to sea, and a report was 
turned in by Lieut. Koehn, making him A. W. 0. L., and 
charging desertion for trying to swim back to the States. 
However, for his effort and desire to return to the company 
and make good, he was made a corporal, in justice more 
than an honor, for he kept on the go the rest of the war. 
We have no other address; but Timber, Oregon, will reach 
him. 

Edward R. Barendrick — "Baron" as he was called, a 
product of Portland, one of the few who started out with the 
company who remained steadfast to the end. Applying him- 
self to hard study, and with interest in his work. Baron was 
detailed to look after the sick and wounded. It was with 
this start that he decided to follow the game, for at present 
you will find him at the University of Oregon, trying to 
solve the many problems of medicine. 

Hart L. Brown, "the Crab." Why the crab? a stranger 
would ask. But the boys of the company knew Hart L. 

[95] 



The 364th F. H. 

Always looking for an argument and always finding one. 
Being one of the originals starting out with the company and 
seeing the thing through, leaving the company when it 
returned home from New York, he strayed to his old home in 
Little Valley, N. Y. Hart was, at times, in some tight 
places. While at Waereghem, Belgium, the shells fell over 
our operating tent, and Lieut. Vanderboget suggested that 
we take cover. Hart did ; but Lieut. Vanderboget failed to 
make the grade. He was too fat. 

Corporal Taylor — they called him — and if ever a corporal 
did his work, Wm. Lloyd Taylor was one of them. Lloyd 
hails from that town with a slogan, "Watch Tacoma Grow." 
There was never a job he balked at, no matter how hard or 
mean. One of those fellows you would be proud to use as an 
example, is Lloyd, a gentleman in every sense of the word. 
He came to the company a good while after its organization, 
and after setting his feet under the mess table the first 
time, was taken in as one of the old boys. EYom the last 
reports we had, he is selling automobiles in Tacoma and 
residing at 37021/2 South "G" Street, where he is eating his 
mother's cooking, which he so often told us about. 

Sam Cook — yes, just plain Sam Cook. As our friend. 
Earl Goodwin, often referred to him, "Big Hearted Sam," 
and when Earl said that, he struck it right. Sam was the 
biggest man in the company, not only physically, but in 
every way. He would give you everything and take noth- 
ing. Coming from Montana, where he was in the Forestry 
Service, and prior to that was a student at the University 
of Oregon, where he was one of the main springs of the 
football team. Upon arriving at Camp Lewis, hearing that 
some of his fellow students were with the 364th, he decided 
he would make his nest with them. As we have it from 
Clyde Walters, Sam was the most active member of the 
Sun Dodgers. 

Beach Crofton, the "Powder Monkey." Beach would 
rather play with shells and powder than take a bath ; always 
trying to find out what was on the inside and many times 
giving the boys a thrill by throwing powder into the fire. 
Beach was a native of Portland, and when the war broke 
out it found him in Montana chasing sheep around those 

[96] 



What We Know About Them 

parts. On arrival at Hotel de Depot Brigade he was in- 
vited by one of his friends to have mess with 36-4. After 
that, he decided his future was with us during the rest of the 
conflict. At present you can find him with the Northwestern 
Electric Company, Portland, Oregon. 

''Sympathy" Bill Gerber, he was called. Bill was the 
first Camp Lewis orchestra leader. To look at Bill you would 
never think he had a musical soul, but he had, and for many 
months entertained the boys playing his harmonious tunes. 
At last poor Bill was destined to play second fiddle, so 
decided to pass his honor to the next best. During his life- 
time he had learned to drive a car, and with that knowledge 
he was picked to drive for the C. 0., which he proceeded to 
do, even to Nice. And of that trip he would never tell. Dur- 
ing working hours you will find him with Sweeney, Varney 
& Straub, printers, or at his home, 4891/2 East Couch Street, 
Portland, Ore. 

We had with us a young man from Brush Prairie, Wash., 
a school-teacher, student and scholar. He came into the 
364th to study the game of war. Most of that knowledge was 
gained thereafter from the seat of a motorcycle. If any 
doubt this, ask him of his wild ride from Proven, Belgium, to 
Paris. At present, Willard H. Hurley is studying dentistry 
at the North Pacific Dental College, Portland, Ore. 

Charley Longpre called Huson, Mont., his home. We 
could tell you a lot about Charles; but would rather not. 
One thing, he was the hardest worker the company had. 
Regardless of army life, Charles had to keep busy no matter 
where. We were all afraid regarding him, as every time he 
turned around he caught pneumonia; but for once, on the 
other side, the French climate seemed to agree with him. 
Being of French ancestry, Charles talked French fluently 
and came to the rescue of a good many boys during their 
struggle with that language. Being one of the active mem- 
bers of the Sun Dodgers, he soon learned the art of that 
organization. You will find him back at his old trade, 
running a locomotive at Huson, Mont. 

Herbert P. Killion hails for Farmer City, Illinois, but 
later with the 91st Division, Tacoma, Wash. Killion joined 
the company a few months after its arrival at Camp Lewis, 

[97] 



The 364th F. H. 

and by his easy-going manner was placed as one of the 
charter members of the ''Goats", where he was a leader in 
all of their activities. 

Basil L. Meekins comes from the sand lots of Portland, 
one of the seventy-nine originals who started out with the 
company. During his early days at Camp Lewis, between 
drills, he was found playing baseball and Basil surely liked 
to wing them over. We remember a certain M. D. that 
winged one over on him to the tune of a month in the hos- 
pital ; but everything came out 0. K., even if the boys in the 
operating room did lose hope. From the last reports he is 
living at 1570 Virginia Street, Portland, Ore. 

The Sheriff of Rosebud County, and he said he always 
shot from the hip ; but while the war was on the best Arthur 
Metz could do was to shoot flap-jacks. He was a wizard at 
that. Art calls South Sioux City, Neb., his home town. Out- 
side of being a guardian of the law, he followed the profes- 
sion of a landscape gardener, polishing off lots. We re- 
member one night at Chateau de Glaye, Art should have 
arrested himself for disorderly conduct and being out after 
hours. 

Frank H. Tusler, born in St. Paul, Minn., September 23, 
1893. At an early age moved to the wilds of Montana. Dur- 
ing the World War was located in Portland, Oregon, and 
hearing the call for men, he enlisted with the 364th F. H., 
as one of the original members, staying with that organiza- 
tion until its demobilization. Frank had the distinction of 
running the line and laying out our first camp site at Camp 
Lewis. A motorcycle driver part of the time and out of. 
luck the rest. Whenever he had a soft job picked out for 
himself, someone else beat him to it; but nevertheless, while 
over seas his work was far above the average, especially 
with the sick and wounded — a record that any man should 
be proud of. At present he is still located at Warland, Mont. 

"Wild Bill" Winters, holding the title of Inner Guard of 
the Sun Dodgers, was advanced to Honor Guard at Chateau 
de Glaye by his capable showing over "Swede" Anderson. 
Bill came from the town of Vancouver, Wash., a few miles 
from Portland. Soon after the company's arrival at Camp 

[98] 



What We Know About Them 

Lewis, Bill was transferred to the 364th. During times when 
the morale of the company was at its lowest, Bill was called 
upon for a few of his songs, especially that of his famous 
"Consumptive Mary Jane", which always thrilled the boys, 
even up to Lieut. Koehn. Bill is still residing at 1511 Frank- 
lin Ave., Vancouver, Wash. 

Dore I. Baumgart — who will ever forget him? Trans- 
ferred to the company soon before its departure for over 
seas by virtue of holding a diploma as a pharmacist. Dore I., 
and his famous fiddle, was lost from us while at Ceton Farm 
and went to his former home in London, England, holding 
the distinction of being one of the first men discharged from 
the company after the Armistice. At present his address is 
unknown to us ; but no doubt he has returned to the good old 
U. S. A., and will be found in his favorite haunts in Seattle, 
Wash. 

Alvin Otto BinsAvanger, bom in Portland, Oregon, April 
28, 1895. Another member of the faithful seventy-nine. One 
would never suspect Alvin of being a private 1st. cl., in the 
364th F. H., to see him, as one of our members recently did, 
at one of our famous first class hotels arrayed in full dress, 
appearing as one of America's society leaders, tripping the 
light fantastic at $1.50 per. Alvin always did everything 
in a high class manner, even to his work in the army and 
many a wounded man can thank his speedy recovery to 
Alvin 's clever work and knowledge. At present we find 
him with the Sterling Food Products Companv or at 100 No. 
18th St., Portland, Oregon. 

Geo. E. Drew enlisted with the company when it was first 
organized in Portland, and being well versed in medicine, 
decided, when joining the company, it would be beneficial to 
him, as well as his country, to pursue that line of work. 
After several months of hard study at the base hospital he 
was considered one of the best men in his line of work at the 
time we were ready to go over seas. On arrival home, George 
decided to follow another profession : got married and went 
into the real estate business, with offices at 354 Empire 
Bldg., Seattle, Wash. 

Isaac E. Garrard, born in Muncie, Ind., June 13, 1889. 
All the boys know I. E. of the National Cash Register fame. 

[99] 



The 364th F. H. 

No matter where it was, up front or in the rear, you could 
always get an argument out of I. E., and the best part of it 
was that he had all of his arguments figured out just like 
the old National system. Starting out with the company, 
from the time we received our uniforms in the Medical Build- 
ing, until the last man was discharged at Camp Lewis, he 
was always found willing and capable of any job he was 
asked to perform, especially K. P. I. E. can be located with 
the local Cash Register Company, still demonstrating to mer- 
chants the wonderful advantages his machine has over his 
competitors, and still telling the boys how much his quota 
exceeded that of previous years. 

Chester E. Gast first became an American citizen in 
Plymouth, Ind., 1891. "Grandma" Gast, as he was known 
by the boys, and why "Grandma", nobody knows; but he was 
given that name and it stuck to him for the rest of his army 
career. When we think of Chester we think of the time he 
formed partners with Drake and ran the company's tailor- 
ing establishment at Ceton Farm, taking care of the boys' 
uniforms at two francs a throw, making a small fortune for 
his sight seeing trip on his arrival back in the States. Hear- 
ing Dr. Strohm's urgent call, Chet joined the company in 
Portland with the original crowd, staying with the bunch 
until all were mustered out in Camp Lewis. After going 
through all hardships of disease, shell fire and accidents in 
France, he was no sooner discharged when he had the mis- 
fortune of falling and fracturing his right leg. At the pres- 
ent time he has been discharged from the hospital, is in good 
condition, and can be found "at home" at 1064 Rodney Ave., 
Portland, Oregon. 

Morris T. Gregory. Stop for a moment and think of 
our old comrade and friend, Morris. There was a time Avhen 
he first came to the company from the Depot Brigade enquir- 
ing as to the possibilities of transferring into the company, 
saying he had all the qualifications necessary, being a student 
of Rush Medical College for two years. When informed that 
he could be transferred as a private, he flatly refused with 
much indignation, saying a sergeancy was the least he could 
accept. After tasting the food of the 364th, he decided to 
accept the humble appointment of a buck private, a rank he 
held until his unfortunate accident at Ceton, which resulted 

[100] 




l.ieiit. Sohilt 
William L. Tavl 



Harry LudliAV 
Earl R. Goodwin 
Harlan Bi'istow 



Francis T. Wade 
Henry Wilson 



What We Know About Them 

ill sending him to the hospital, depriving him of the oppor- 
tunity of making the trip home with the rest of the com- 
pany. ''Tony", as he was nick-named by some, probably due 
to his supposed Italian ancestry, was the butt of many jokes : 
one especially at Chateau de Grlaye, when someone put a 
statue in his bed. The excitement caused when Tony de- 
cided to retire was almost as great as the cry of "Gas" 
created, which always called for action and speed on the 
part of Tony. After all was said and done, we all had a 
soft spot for our friend Morris. The last address we have is 
.S87 Park Avenue, Worcester, Mass. 

Joseph Mackey came to the company from the famous 
hotel *' Depot Brigade", upon recommendation of being a 
first-class pharmacist. It was so decided for his and the 
army's benefit, and from his work while with the company 
it was proved that the transfer was a success. Joe dished out 
the pills and "hipe" with a steady hand. He also dealt a 
wicked hand at "500" at times, especially at Audenarde, 
when circumstances caused him to consider dealing out some- 
thing else besides cards at a certain sergeant. Joe left us at 
New York upon our return to the States, and was demobil- 
ized at the Presidio, San Francisco. From there he went to 
his home, 715 So. Boyle St., Los Angeles, Calif. 

Antone A. Maroldo was Lieut. Brooke's right hand man, 
especially at mess time; for it was "Maroldo this" and 
"Maroldo that" during his stay on the other side. Heading 
from Port Townsend, Wash., he came into the company just 
before our departure for over seas. Upon arriving home he 
decided 362 G St., Port Townsend, Wash., was the best place 
on earth, and he can be found there with his feet under 
mother's table. 

John Helmer of Portland, Oregon. Our friend John — 
you know John, the fellow who decided to go to Portland one 
Saturday when stationed at Camp Lewis ; but the Major de- 
cided otherwise when he spotted him on the train just before 
its departure. Things are different now. John is the big 
man of the 364th F. H. organization, having been elected at 
the last annual banquet as President, succeeding J. Harry 
Carroll, who held the honorable title for one year. Always 
willing to take care of any questions, troubles, or otherwise, 

[101] 



The 364th F. H. 

that may come before him during the term of his office, John 
is proving his worth as president. While across, his ability 
was soon discovered as one to look after the wounded, and 
no one could excel him in this branch of the service. You will 
find him selling haberdashery for C. C. Bradley, Portland, 
Oregon, 

Leslie W. Hartley — "Judge" as the boys nick-named him. 
Being a lawyer by profession, his title was a just one. He 
was one of the original members who took the elevator to the 
sixth floor. Dr. Strohm's office, where he received part of 
his uniform, and like a good many others, bought the balance 
of his equipment to complete his regalia as a soldier of Uncle 
Sam. ' ' Judge ' ' was always famous for his decision on argu- 
ments and it was he who sentenced Dore I. Baumgart to 
solitary confinement on our trip to Portland for Christmas 
holidays. After landing in France, Judge accomplished won- 
derful work while in action. After the Armistice he was 
detailed with the Division Chaplain to look up lost graves, 
about which he has written an article appearing in this book. 
At present he is taking a course in an Eastern educational 
enterprise, and after completion, this will take him to France 
to travel over the old stamping ground. Anyone wishing to 
get into communication Avith him, address general delivery, 
Williams, Oregon. 

E. R. Holt — "Rufus", as he was known by some, and by 
others, after the famous presentation speech by Sgt. Louis 
Holbrook, was called ''Step-'n-ahalf-behind" Holt. Some 
say that it was only by installing the shower baths that he 
decided to stay in the army; but others decided differently. 
One could write a history regarding Rufus, but the mention 
of his name will recall many pleasant memories of the past. 
**Ruf", at the present time, is studying law at Stanford 
University, and when at home you can find him at 592 Salmon 
Street, Portland, Oregon. 

Leonard I. Kaufman — the first man of the company to 
receive a Non. Com's. warrant at Camp Lewis. But instead 
of a Non. Com's warrant he should have been commissioned 
a ''Second Looie" for the responsibilities he assumed. As 
Fate would have it, he was carried on the roster as "Lance 
Corporal;" but after looking over the army regulations, the 

[102] 



What We Know About Them 

C. O. found that no such rank could be held by such a dis- 
tinguished personag'e. So with the passing of this title also 
passed the cooking days of Len. How the boys did miss his 
famous "mystery" and his delicious "zipp" with the deli- 
cate flavoring of twenty-five cent cigars. "Len" was one 
of the heavies who first heard the call of Dr. Strohm and 
put his name on the dotted line, sticking with the company 
until the arrival back in Camp Lewis. We will say one thing 
about Len : no matter Avhat he undertook, he always finished 
it right; but a good many of the boys would like to have 
had a snapshot of him at the end of the famous march to Dom- 
bazil. Len is selling ladies' cloaks and suits at the present 
time, and when at home you will find him at Trinity Place 
Apartments, Portland, Oregon. 

Duncan C. McLean, one of the late arrivals of the com- 
pany. He came from Northome, Minn. He said the D<3pot 
Brigade held no charms for him and cast his lot with the 
364th. One of those happy-go-lucky fellows who did not 
care whether the war ended or not. If anybody was looking 
for Mac, he could always be found around the kitchen, until 
they decided to make a permanent K. P. of him. The above 
address will reach him at any time. 

Laurence McNeal. Why they failed to call him ' ' Shorty ' ' 
will always be a mystery, as almost every company could 
boast of a "shorty" but 364. Laurence was the shortest man 
in the company outside of "Little Davy." Regardless of his 
height he could throw almost any man of the company. One 
of the officers found this out and had him throwing food to 
him for the rest of the war. The records show that Mac 
hailed from Hamilton, Mont., Gen. Del. 

George F. Pettengill. Tall, hungry looking "Pett", or, 
as he was known — one of the Siamese Twins. We do not 
want to make the impression too strong, but he looked that 
way to us at times, for when looking at "Pett" j^ou would 
look at Duncan, and when looking at Duncan you would see 
"Pett", asleep, walking, hiking or working. You could 
never get them apart. George did wonderful work in Prance 
and Belgium, especially at Roulers, where we were up against 
the wall with flu and pneumonia cases. George, at the pres- 
ent time, is taking a course in chemical engineering at Ore- 

[103] 



The 364th F. H. 

gon Agricultural College, Corvallis, Ore., and when at home 
you will find him with his folks in Newberg, Oregon. 

Cornelius R. Stein, the representative of Oak Grove and 
holding the proud distinction of being the youngest man in 
the company. "Corney" was in fact only a boy at the time 
of his enlistment, being only seventeen years old; so every- 
one else in the company kept an eagle eye on him to see that 
he walked the straight and narrow path. Joining the com- 
pany when first organized, he was detailed, with our friend 
Walter Miller, to look out for the Hotel de Sargentisch. Tir- 
ing of that after arriving on foreign soil, he was then de- 
tailed to look after stray sergeants and corporals. Comey 
came back wearing a French Medal of Honor bestowed upon 
him by the French Government, and it is needless to say that 
all the boys of 364 are proud of him. He is now with the 
Fleischner-Mayer Company, learning to be a traveling sales- 
man. Corney can always be located at his mother's fireside, 
Oak Grove, Oregon. 

Ira J. Drake was transferred from the Depot Brigade a 
few months before our departure for over seas. He hailed 
from Hornbrook, Calif., where he passes his time prospecting 
for gold. You will all remember Drake, for he always per- 
sisted in playing his violin when we were trying to steal a 
few moments of "shut-eye." At present his address is gen- 
eral delivery, Hornbrook, Calif. 

Clifford W. Duncan, a product of Portland, Oregon, June 
18, 1895, the other half of the Siamese Twins. ''Cliff", as 
known by the boys, enlisted in the company soon after its 
arrival at Camp Lewis. Upon our departure for the other 
side, he took along his famous companion — his camera, and 
due to his ability in taking pictures under trying conditions, 
he was responsible for a group of pictures printed by him 
upon his return and distributed among the boys, which are 
held as very valuable souvenirs. He is attending the Oregon 
Agricultural College with his dear old pal "Pett", taking 
the same course of chemical engineering. His address is Cor- 
vallis, Oregon, 205 North 12th Street. 

George E. Dorney — "Chaw", as the company nick-named 
him ; first, because George was a true Irishman, and secondly 

[1041 



What We Know About Them 

because he could chew more plug cut than the rest of the 
company put together. With this handicap over the rest of 
the boys he won the heart of the gay, young Mademoiselle 
**Pom de Tare." George is back at his old job with the post- 
office department, and living at his old address. Rex Arms 
Apartments, Portland, Oregon. 

Henry Evans was born in Birmingham, England, Decem- 
ber 4, 1894. When the war broke out it found him in Seattle, 
Wash. He was transferred from the Depot Brigade to the 
company soon after his arrival in Camp Lewis and shortly 
after that was made right hand man to Major Colbert, a posi- 
tion he held until after the battle of Ceton. After his dis- 
charge he returned to his home, 1320 15th Ave., South, Seat- 
tle, Wash. 

Lester W. Gamble was one of the late arrivals of the com- 
pany, having been transferred from the Depot Brigade. On 
his qualification card he was rated as a pharmacist, and it 
was deemed best to place him where his knowledge could be 
used to its best advantage. Lester was a hard worker and 
proved a valuable asset to 364. On his arrival back to the 
States he was discharged in New York and returned to his 
home in Ohio. Since then he has returned to Seattle, where 
he is now located. 

George Stiegeler, one of the original members, cast his lot 
with the 364th with the rest of the boys, leaving Portland 
July 15th and working with the company through its months 
of training in Camp Lewis and actual service over seas. 
George's work while over seas can be highly commended; 
doing his best at all times regardless of personal contagion 
wiiile attending the sick. Upon his return home to the 
States he has become affiliated with the dining car service 
of the S. P. & S. Ry. His present address is 366 6th St.. 
Portland, Oregon. 

Frederick R. Stipe — "Braised Beef Freddie", as he was 
commonly known. Starting out with the company as a pri- 
vate, he became assistant mess sergeant and, while over 
seas, assumed full responsibility of that department upon the 
promotion of Louis J. Bronaugh — a position he held until his 
return to the States. A good many tales can be told about 

[105] 



The 364th F. H. 

Fred regarding his cooking and difficulties with K. P's. ; but 
the mere mention of his name will make every member of the 
old company look backwards. At present Frederick is con- 
nected with the Blumauer-Frank Drug Company, Portland, 
Oregon. His home address is 570 Weidler St., this city. 

Wm. H. Stipe — ''Roaring Bill" the boys named him, and 
the ''Hero of Vimy Ridge" known by others; but by others 
he was considered the "Hero of Waereghem." This latter 
title was gained by his brilliant maneuvering on the night the 
75s, located a short distance outside the city, shelled us from 
the cellar. In fact, he maneuvered so well we could not find 
him for the rest of the night. On return to civilian life Bill 
became connected with the United States Custom service. 
His present address is 207 Garrett St., Portland, Ore. 

Paul R. Thompson. Paul R. danced his way from the 
Depot Brigade to the 364th company some few months after 
we arrived in Camp Lewis. The company being short of tal- 
ent, and having a few vacancies, gladly welcomed Thompson. 
Paul, before his entrance into the army, was connected with 
several theatrical troupes and his ability to entertain the 
boys was second to none. After working with the company 
through all of its drives, doing valuable work with the sick 
and wounded, he was requisitioned by the Y. M. C. A. to 
travel among the different divisions and entertain. Just 
before the company returned to the States "Ham" joined 
us again, and upon arriving in New York was sent to Fort 
D. A. Russel for demobilization, returning to his home at 
838 W. Spruce St., Missoula, Mont. 

Jason F. Van Winkle dropped his work with the City 
Water office and hastened to 602 Medical Bldg., and signed 
his name on the dotted line as one of Lieut. Strohm's reliables. 
"Rip" was renowned for his literary aspirations and espe- 
cially for his famous poem, "The Fighting 364th." Those 
who have not read it should do so. It has all the touching 
effect that any poem could have regarding the World War. 
He was always a hard worker, regardless of the task he was 
called upon to perform. On returning to the States he re- 
sumed his position with the City Water Works, and during 
his spare hours has helped to compile this little book. Van's 
present address is 930 E. Salmon St., Portland, Ore. 

[106] 



What We Know About Them 

James M. Vranizan, always known as "Jimmy", was one 
of the first to enter the 364th. Without the presence of 
Jimmy we are afraid the morale of the company would have 
been low at times; but he was always full of life and when 
things seemed darkest he would find a way to cause a laugh. 
It was when we first arrived in France that Jimmy gave all 
of us something to laugh about. Desiring to see the little 
town of Cherbourg — aud against orders, which were as usual 
disregarded by Jimmy — he was on his way. Upon his return 
to camp, while trying to crawl through the barbed wire en- 
closure, was halted and put under arrest. For this he suf- 
fered the penalty of having all privileges denied for one 
month. James returned to civilian life and became a repre- 
sentative of the Western Dry Goods Company, a position he 
now holds. 540 Clay St., Portland, Oregon, will reach him. 

Francis Tonning Wade. Francis was the company's 
bugler. After several had tried out for the job it simmered 
down to Hart L. Brown, with the honors going to Francis. At 
the start it was rather a tough job ; but after the boys got 
tired putting onions, carrots and such things into the bugle, 
he made very good progress, managing to get the boys out 
for drill ; and especially around the mess table when he com- 
menced to play ''Soupy". After blowing his way through 
the army he managed to blow out again and decided to blow 
some of his savings for a law course in the University of 
Oregon, where he is now located. Francis' home address is 
Waitsburg, Wash. 

John Wilhelm. John drew the nickname of ''Kaiser", due 
to the fact that he carried the name of Wilhelm. Kaiser was 
one of the original members to enlist in Portland. While 
training in Camp Lewis he took an active interest in sports, 
being one of the managers of the Sanitary Train football 
team, which held the championship of the 91st Division. Tir- 
ing of his long wait before orders were received to "move 
over seas", he decided to transfer to the Engineers' Training 
Camp in the East. After arriving there and hearing of the 
departure of the 364th for over seas, was again transferred 
into the company on its arrival in New York. When the 
company was ordered home, John was one of those left be- 
hind to take a course in the French University and upon his 

[107] 



The 364th F. H. 

completion of study there, returned to New York, where he 
is now located. 

Eskel E. Anderson. Transferred to the company a short 
time before its departure for France. After serving through 
with the company, was dLScharged at Camp Lewis and left for 
his home at 5515 Wallingford Ave., Seattle, Wash. 

Sigfried Bjornsen, another who joined the company a 
few months before its departure over seas. "Big Sig'* was a 
friend of all the boys, a hard worker and well fitted for the 
work he was assigned to. Sig returned to Camp Lewis with 
the rest of the company, going to his home at 1233 Grant 
St., Bellingham, Wash. 

James L. Carroll, hearing of a vacancy in the company, 
settled his business affairs in Portland, rushed up to Camp 
Lewis, passed his physical examination at the Base Hospital, 
and was accepted as a member of the 364th. One of his first 
jobs — as always — he was put on K. P. and ordered out to cut 
wood one morning, which he proceeded to do ; but not before 
he cut part of his fingers off. After that Jimmie was more 
or less out of luck, spending part of his time in the Base Hos- 
pital, and again in Prance was left behind on account of 
scarlet fever. At present you will find him presiding be- 
hind Stiller 's cigar counter or at 314% Eugene St., Port- 
land, Oregon. 

Harley G. Davenport, from dear old Chewelah, Wash. 
Of course, no one knows where the town of Chewelah is lo- 
cated, but nevertheless it can boast of one young man to be 
proud of. We remember the time Capt. Monroe took pity 
on Harley and had him transferred from the Depot Brigade 
to the company, and being a first class pharmacist, Harley 
was a welcome member. Returning home with the rest of the 
stragglers, he returned to his wife and fireside in "Dear Old 
Chewelah." 

Peter S. Davis. Our old friend "Stew", as he was called 
— a nickname he acquired while going to school, and which 
followed him into the army. Stew was a product of Chinook, 
Wash., where he was engaged in the fish business, but dis- 
continued this line for a few seasons to help out Uncle Sam. 
He started out with the Infantry, but hearing that a good 

[108] 




Donald MacClaire 
Walter A. Hummel 



Albert Goodrich 
Charles E. Gasset 
George E. Dorney 



Charles Longpre 
Clyde Walters 



What We Know About Them 

many of his old friends were in 364, he decided to transfer. 
Stew was always on the job ; however, he fell down once at 
Chateau de Glaye, according to Major Jones. Stew is back in 
the fish game at Chinook, Wash. 

Richard P. Glasscock. ''Perc" was born in Great Falls, 
Mont., October 6, 1894, and followed the occupation of a 
bookkeeper. When the war broke out it found him in Mis- 
soula, Mont. Arriving at Camp Lewis with the first con- 
tingent from that part of the State, he joined the company 
soon afterwards. Perc was one of the hardest workers the 
company had and a favorite among all the boys. He returned 
to Missoula after his discharge, where he is living at 542 
S. 4th Street. 

Harley G. Griswold. "Big Gris" was one of the few men 
sent out West from Minnesota. Why he chose the 364th was 
not known ; however, Gris stayed with the company from 
the time he left Camp Lewis until he left us at New York. 
Gris was of a very high strung disposition, especially when 
the sound of high shells was audible, and had the habit of 
jumping when one would burst near. In fact, a good many 
of the fellows felt the effect of Gris' feet during night hikes 
near tJie front. The last we heard from Gris was from down 
on the farm in Dodge Center, Minn. 

Eddie L. Heckinger. Our Southern friend, Eddie, hailed 
from Memphis, Tenn., and was connected with headquarters 
of the Sanitary Train. For some *' unknown reason" he 
could not get along with a certain officer, so decided he 
would cast his lot with the 364th. While on the other side, 
Eddie was the one who made the wild dash to Paris with 
his band of braves. At present we have no address ; but no 
doubt he is still down South. 

Charles T. Hunter. Charley was one of the late arrivals, 
having been transferred from the Depot Brigade, just before 
the company left for over seas. We have not heard from 
Charley since his discharge from the army ; but from all indi- 
cations and past records, he is in the promoting business 
somewhere around Havre, Mont. The reason we surmise 
** promoting", is because Charley could promote anything 
that was obtainable. When he would lose his pack on a 

[109] 



The 364th F. H. 

march, he could promote a bed with one of his fellow mem- 
bers. When the chow of the company was rotten, he would 
commence promoting^ for his meals elsewhere. Nothing ever 
worried him and nothing ever will. Charley's record over 
seas as a worker was equal to that of any man. His present 
address, as we have it, is Havre, Mont., Gen. Del. 

Roscoe R. Kinsey. ''Sheep" Kinsey was a product of 
Glendive, Mont. Coming to Camp Lewis with the first con- 
tingent of selective men, Sheep was assigned to the 362nd 
Inf. Hearing that his cousin, Fl'ank Tusler, was with the 
364th F. H., decided that, if possible, he would make a trans- 
fer to that company. After several unsuccessful attempts, he 
finally became affiliated with the company before its de- 
parture over seas. While over seas Roscoe and Prank, who 
were always working together, performed very good service 
among the contagious patients. Upon his return to the States 
he went to Klamath Falls, Oregon, and entered the cattle 
business, where he is now located. 

Harry Ludlow was born in Omaha, Nebr., September 17, 
1898. He enlisted in the company soon after its arrival in 
Camp Lewis, coming from Tacoma, Wash. Going through the 
customary training at Camp Lewis, he was assigned to the 
nursing staff and while over seas, performed in that capac- 
itv with verj^ good results. On returning to the States he 
went to his home, 4326 So. "J" St., Tacoma, Wash. 

Fred Meyer. We all remember Fred Meyer. In fact, 
every one of the 364th has a picture of Fred Meyer — that is 
with a few exceptions. The picture in question was taken 
at Le Beau ; however, when this was developed it was deemed 
necessary, due to his Adam-like apparel, to obliterate Fred 
from the scene. After serving through the different drives, 
Fred made application to be transferred to the Y. M. C. A. 
to do duty for them in Paris — a request which was granted. 
When the company departed from Ceton Farm, Fred was 
one of those who were left behind. No doubt by this time 
he is back in this country, and can be located at his home in 
Steilacoom, Wash. 

Albert L. Newell was born in Seattle, Wash., November 
12, 1894. He was one of the late arrivals in the company, 

[110] 



What We Know About Them 

helping to make up the full quota before departing over seas. 
"Lefty's" chief occupation, when coming to the company, 
was Lieut. Vanderboget's chief assistant, a capacity which 
he filled until his return to the States. Lefty can be located 
at Skelton, Wash. 

James H. Parker. "Goofey" Parker, as he was known by 
the 364th, was a native of Alhambra, California. During the 
world struggle, Parker was residing in Seattle, running his 
drug store — some say "drug" and some say "otherwise." 
But being within the draft age, Goofey was compelled to 
walk the plank like the rest. He arrived in Camp Lewis, and 
being a pharmacist, was turned over to the Sanitary Train 
and later came into the 364th F. H. Jim had a strong sus- 
picion against the Camp Lewis water and was always quench- 
ing his thirst with something besides the aqua supplied to 
the company. On one occasion it necessitated a trip to the 
base hospital, in which the doctor diagnosed the case as 
"vanilla extract." While over seas Jim took his turn in 
dishing out C. C's. and various other remedies, and upon his 
return was sent to his home in California, later returning to 
1500 Queen Ann Ave., Seattle, Wash., where he now resides. 

Volney G. Riefsnider came from the town of Oronoco, 
Minn., and was one of the last to come into the company in 
order to establish its final quota. While over seas Volney 
accomplished very good work and, upon his return, wan- 
dered back to his home at the above address. 

Wm. E. Ridenour. Ridenour will no doubt be remembered 
by all of the boys. A newcomer in the company just before 
our departure, was assigned to our dear old friend, "Braised 
Beef Freddy", as a permanent K. P. Becoming so adept, he 
was promoted to assistant cook, a position which he capably 
filled until his discharge in Camp Lewis. 

Dave L. Rodgers is one man in the company we could 
write a book about, for every one remembers Dave and the 
Mmusement he caused while with the company at Camp Lewis 
and over seas. As his service record read, he was born in 
Cold water. Tenn. Nobody doubted this, for the cold water 
must have stunted his growth. He held the distinction of 
being the shortest man in the company. Everybody liked 
Dave and would do anything they could for him. In return 

[111] 



The 364th F. H. 

Dave knew no limit of generosity. He confined his activities 
to the culinary department until his strike against his su- 
perior, Frederick R., when he refused to continue working 
under his supervision. Dave left us, upon our return to 
the States, at New York, returning to his home, Apt. 1, Shelby 
Court, Omaha, Nebr. 

Oscar H. Saaheim, the famous ''snuff" artist. Oscar was 
transferred into the company soon after his arrival in Camp 
Lewis, and came to us from the Depot Brigade, frankly 
admitting when he arrived, that he knew nothing at all about 
army life and the rest of the company soon agreed with him. 
On arriving in New York from Camp Lewis, Oscar was 
the first one of the company to experience the bite of a 
cootie. Although his inabilit}^ to absorb the knowledge of 
''fours east and west" and the points about the human 
anatomy could not be equalled, his service overseas was 
beyond reproach. Oscar is now living in his former home 
in Olivia, Minn. 

George W. Schultz. Schultz was one of the few who 
were rushed in at the last hour to fill the company's quota, 
and hailed from Grand Meadows, Minn. On his arrival in 
the company he became assistant to Capt. Corper, looking 
after his likes and dislikes. While overseas, as he was work- 
ing under high tension, he confided to a few that he did not 
think he would return, expecting to come in contact with 
one of the hun's 45s. At the present writing you will find 
him on Route 2, Box 87, Grand Meadows, Minn., still very 
much alive. 

Paul M. Vissman, the Caruso of the company, noted for 
his famous rendition of ' ' Lulu ' '. After taking the customary 
course of training he was assigned to look after the sick and 
wounded, under Sgt. Holbrook. always taking the greatest 
care of each and every one needing his services — with one 
exception. At Waereghem, while evacuating the sick to 
the rear, his desire to rush the work caused him to send one, 
who had passed away some hours before, in the ambulance 
as a slightly wounded patient. On his return to the States 
Paul returned to his home in San Fernando, Calif. 

Dean Q. Waddell, hailing from Berkeley, Calif., being 

[112] 



What We Know About Them 

([ualified as a medical student, was transferred to the Sani- 
tary Train, 364th F. H. While in the company he was recom- 
mended by his university as one of those selected to enter 
the officers' training camp. After spending a major por- 
tion of his time in the O. T. C, he was returned to the com- 
pany, with which he made the trip overseas. He was as- 
signed to Sgt. Madison in the operating department, and 
proved to be a very capable man in that capacity. At pres- 
ent he is located in the Euclid Apartments, Berkeley, Calif. 

Henry N. Wilson was transferred to the 364th from the 
Depot Brigade, a few months before its departure for over- 
seas. While confined in the Forest de Hesse it was neces- 
sary to send him back to the rear for an operation, joining 
us a few months prior to our return to the States. Accord- 
ing to our record sheet he is now located in Hayfield, Minn. 

Richard R. Gray came into the company as assistant to 
Lieut. Tommerson, who was the company dentist. While 
with the company he was assigned to look after the equip- 
ment and wants of the lieutenant. At present Gray is com- 
pleting his dental course at the North Pacific Dental College, 
Portland, Oregon. 

Albert Goodrich, one of the late arrivals in the company. 
While making the trip overseas with the boys and upon 
first landing in France, Goodrich was stricken with scarlet 
fever, and was confined, with his other tent mates, at the 
rest camp at Tour-la-ville. After recuperating, he returned 
to the company on its arrival in Belgium, where he was as- 
signed to Frederick R. Stipe for K. P. duty, a position he 
held until his return and discharge. Albert can be located 
at Mt. Vernon, Wash. 

Carl O. Muhr was born in Ruhven, Iowa, February 2, 
1897. Carl came into the company at the instigation of his 
brother, who was connected with the 362d Ambulance. 
After arriving in camp he walked around several days in 
civies, and decided to enter the service. The only comment 
he would make regarding army life, when asked for his 
opinion was, ''it sure is a tough life for a decent man." 
While with the company he held the record as a marathon 
eater. No matter when you looked at him he was eating, 

[1131 



The 364th F. H. 

and on the strength of this record, and in order to keep him 
in nourishment, he was assigned as a permanent K. P. On 
his return, and after his discharge at Camp Lewis, he went 
back to the folks at Warren, Oregon. 

Ralph Ross Jordan first saw the light of day in Celina, 
Ohio, December 23, 1890. He enlisted May 25, 1918, at 
Camp Taylor, Kentucky; trained at Camp Greenleaf, 
Georgia, and Camp Crane, Pennsylvania. He went overseas 
with the 6th Replacement Unit, and was transferred to the 
364th F. H., September 25, 1918, at Brabant. Ralph was 
one of the four men who joined us while overseas — the only 
replacements we received after leaving New York. On his 
return to New York he was sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, 
being discharged there May 8th, 1919, returning to his 
former home in Celina, where he is engaged in the hardware 
business. 

Harlan C. Bristow enlisted in the company May 29, 1917. 
Harlan was one of the fortunate members of the company, 
being a duly warranted sergeant before his arrival at Camp 
Lewis, as he was assigned the honorable position as "keeper 
of the mess." It was he, with the aid of Harry Cherry, who 
concocted that memorial breakfast upon our initial arrival 
at Camp Lewis. The ways of a mess sergeant are sad, and 
after several months of toil and arguments with his friend, 
Sargentisch, he resigned in favor of Louis Bronaugh; how- 
ever, he retained his rank. Later on, Harlan was trans- 
ferred to Camp Infirmary No. 3, attached to the 316th San- 
itary Train, acting in that capacity through all the major 
drives of the division. On his return home from overseas 
he retired to his orchard at Tigard, Oregon, where he is now 
following his literary pursuits, left off before the war. 

Robert Bragg, while being a member of the 364th for 
only a short time, will be remembered as one of the popular 
boys of the company. He was transferred to the H. Q. of 
the Sanitary Train, where he held forth during the duration 
of the war. 

Walter R. Miller was one of the original members of the 
364th. After serving with the company for several months 
he was transferred to the H. Q. under Colonel Strohm, serv- 

[114] 



What We Know About Them 

ing in that department until his return to the States. At 
present Walter is located in Portland, Oregon. 

William Holden was with us when we answered the first 
roll call at Camp Lewis; but after a few months' service 
with the companj^ was transferred to a Motor Transport 
corps and received a commission in that department. 

John C. Sturm was another who participated in the first 
breakfast at Camp Lewis, prepared by our humble host, 
Sgt. Bristow. After being with the company for a few 
months and tiring of his inactivity, was transferred to the 
clerical force of the Base Hospital, from which position he 
was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. 

Milton F. Penfield. our first companj^ clerk, after serving 
for several months in that capacity was transferred to the 
Base Hospital and rose to the rank of a first lieutenant in 
the sanitary corps. 

John E. Gilmore was another who was with the 364th 
for a few months, when he was transferred to the base hos- 
pital as sgt. 1st cl., in charge of the pharmacy. Later on he 
was sent overseas with a base hospital unit. At present he 
is with Kinsell's Pharmacy, Seattle, Wash. 

Leon J. Robertson, after mingling several months with 
the 364th F. H., Camp Lewis, and like many others who first 
joined the company at Portland, became dissatisfied with 
the long stay at Camp Lewis and transferred his ability to 
other fields, much to his sorrow and the sorrow of his fel- 
low comrades. Leon is now located at his old job with the 
Portland Flouring Mills, Portland, Oregon. 

Brewer A. Billie was bom April 3, 1893, at Chinook. 
Wash., and enlisted June 4, 1917, at Portland, Oregon. 
Brewer, in fact, was the company's first top sergeant, taking 
the company out almost every day during their first two 
months at Camp Lewis. After a long delay, while the com- 
pany was held at Camp Lewis, he decided to transfer to the 
signal corps on December 18. 1917. After several months in 
Vancouver, where he had been assigned, he received his war- 
rant as master electrician. At present he is in the contracting 
business in Astoria, Oregon. His home address is 76 Com- 
mercial Street. 

[115J 



The 364th F. H. 

Joseph B. Canfield — *' Coffey Joe", as he was known to 
all the boys, became so proficient in interpret ating army 
regulations that he was made sergeant for the company. 
After serving in that capacity and being full of ambition, he 
chose to select for himself a berth in the sanitary corps, 
where he was transferred and went to Camp EYemont, Cali- 
fornia, gaining a commission as 1st lieutenant in that branch 
of the service. From the latest reports we have of Joe, he 
has accepted a permanent berth in the regular army. 

Merritt H. Hughes. Hughes was another one of Lieut. 
Strohm's original seventy-nine, who, after a few months' 
service with the company, transferred into the q. m. depart- 
ment. At present we have no address of Merritt; but no 
doubt he is located in or near Portland, Oregon. 

Thomas G. Hunter. "Grove" Avas one of the few who 
was chosen by the company commander, Colbert, to enter the 
last 0. T. S.. just before the company's departure overseas. 
After grinding away through the several courses required, 
he emerged with a commission as 2nd lieutenant. Grover is 
at the present time at his old job as assistant superintendent 
of Meier & Frank Company, Portland, Oregon. 

Joseph L. Lambert, another member of banking fame, was 
one of the first to sign his name on the dotted line that made 
him a member of Lieut. Strohm's company. Joe being impa- 
tient and looking for a lot of action, became dissatisfied with 
the long stay at Camp Lewis and transferred to the q. m. 
corps. At present eloe is located with the East Side Bank, 
Portland, Oregon. 

Joseph L. Luckey — ''Somnolent Joe." Joe joined the 
company with the best intentions in the world. His inten- 
tion was to get to France as soon as possible ; but while in 
Camp Lewis Joe had the habit of getting up in the wee 
small hours of the night and doing a marathon, choosing the 
course for this dramatic race over and around the boys' beds. 
Hearing of this habit, the C. O. deemed it best that Joe stay 
on this side of the waters : much to the sorrow of everyone in 
the company. At present Joe is traveling for a local rubber 
concern, located in Portland, Oregon. 

[116] 




Lieut. Schilt 
William L. Tav 



Harry J^udl av 
Earl R. Goodwin 
Harlan Bristow 



Francis T. Wade 
Henry Wilson 



What We Know About Them 

Amil J. Ruff drove in from Hillsboro, Oregon, after hear- 
ing the call sent out by Lieut. Strohm, and signed up as one 
of the original members of 364. It was while at Camp Lewis 
that Amil made the remark, "you never can lose me". But 
on his return from Portland early one Monday morning in 
the company of Bill Gerber and Harry Carroll, attempted to 

pilot them back to camp from After several hours 

of strenuous hiking, they were forced to call a halt and de- 
cide they were lost, Amil's present address is Hillsboro, 
Oregon. 

Lawrence A. Rosenthal was one of the men who started 
out with the company as a buck private and ended his career 
in the army as a 1st lieutenant. Before enlisting, Lawrence 
was studying dentistry and had received a diploma just 
before his departure for Camp Lewis. After several months 
with the company he received his commission and was trans- 
ferred to Vancouver, Wash., where he was stationed. At 
present you will find him following his profession in Port- 
land, Oregon. 

Dominic J. Vranizan. "Dom," as he was known, was 
with the company from its start.. After going through several 
months of hard training he was compelled to retire from the 
service on account of his health, much to the regret of all of 
the company. Dom can be located at his home, 540 Clay 
Street, Portland, Oregon. 

George Simons. After several months with the 364th, he 
being one of the first of the boys to join, suddenly packed 
up and disappeared. Our next word from George stated he 
was in New York. Thinking he was on detached duty, the 
boys all expected him back ; but, much to our sorrow, he was 
transferred out of the company and attached to Evacuation 
Hospital No. 7, regular army. After serving with the third 
army through Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Ar- 
gonne battles, he was discharged at Camp Lewis July 22, 
1919. George now travels for M. Seller & Co., Portland, with 
headquarters at Boise, Idaho. 

Harry E. Cherry. The mere mention of the name of 
Cherry brings back to us our first days at Camp Lewis. It 
was Harry who met us at the train on our first arrival at 

[117] 



The 364th F. H. 

that place, also being instrumental in arranging that first 
memorable breakfast. After several months with the com- 
pany he transferred to the q. m. department, and with his 
departure the company lost one of its most valued members. 
At the present time Harry is located with P. L. Cherry Con- 
struction Company, Portland, Oregon. 

Esker Radford Mitchell was one of the men whose name 
was attached to the original roster. After spending several 
months with the company in training at Camp Lewis, he be- 
came impatient for active service, and transferred to the 
q. m. department. At present he is located in Seattle, Wash. 

Donald M. MacClaire. ''Mac" started with the company 
as a sergeant and after spending several months in Camp 
Lewis became a sgt. 1st cl., and, in turn, taking charge of 
the company. It was Mac who taught a large percentage of 
M. D's. their fours east and west. After spending about a 
year with the company, received word that a rank of lieu- 
tenant was awaiting him in the sanitary corps, which he ac- 
cepted. At the present time he is connected with First 
National Bank, Portland, Oregon. 

W. D. Whitcomb was born in Chicago, 111., September 28, 
1884, and enlisted June 22, 1917. Every one of the old com- 
pany will remember Sgt. Whitcomb, as being the first top 
cutter the company had. After spending a few months with 
364 his ability was discovered and he was transferred to 
Camp Fremont, California, where he rapidly rose to the rank 
of lieut. -colonel in the sanitary corps. At present he is 
located with Whitfield, Whitcomb & Co., certified public 
accountants, 316 Oregon Bldg., Portland, Oregon. 

Elsworth B. Hanna was another one of the lucky boys 
who, starting from Portland to Camp Lewis, found the ser- 
geant chevrons pinned on his coat. Taking advantage of 
onr long stay at Camp Lewis he prepared himself for a course 
in the O. T. C, Presidio, California, where he gained the rank 
of first lieutenant. ''Mark's" home is 1105 Clinton Street, 
Portland, Oregon. 

Earl R. Goodwin, one of the most active of the original 
members, after several months with 364, received an appoint- 
ment to the third O. T. C, and before his course was com- 

[118] 



What We Know About Them 

pleted the company was on its way overseas. On leaving the 
company Earl left a vacancy in the old ranks which was 
never filled. He was always full of life and willing to go to 
the front with any proposition for the betterment of the com- 
pany. We find Earl at the present time assistant sporting 
editor of the Oregon Journal, Portland, Oregon. 

Al Maddern traveled with the company to Camp Lewis 
and stayed with the bunch for some time ; but it was deter- 
mined by army physicians that it would be impossible for 
him to stand the strain he would have to endure. So with 
that verdict another loyal member of the company was lost. 
At present Al is located in Portland following his vocation 
as an oculist. 

Rowland L. Atcheson. "Atch" started out with the 
company as a sergeant, having just graduated from the North 
Pacific Dental College. After getting well acquainted with 
the boys at Camp Lewis, he was drawn from the ranks and 
given a commission as 1st lieutenant in the dental corps. 

Albert Thornbury hailed from the town of Hood River. 
Hearing the call, like several others in his community, he 
hastened to Dr. Strohm's office and signed his name on the 
dotted line. On arriving at Camp Lewis Al was soon ap- 
pointed company clerk. After holding that position he de- 
cided to transfer his affections to other fields, and was 
transferred to Camp Fremont, California. At present he is 
located at his old home in Hood River, Oregon. 

Malcom D. Gunston came to the company after its arrival 
at Camp Lewis. Having been born and reared in Seattle he 
was soon looked upon as one of the originals, and after going 
through strenuous training, as the regulations called for, was 
qualified and left for overseas with the unit. On arriving in 
Prance, Gunston was a victim of circumstances. Nothing 
seemed to agree with him, being indisposed a majority of the 
time ; but, nevertheless, we found him in the line of march 
with the rest of the company. On arriving at St. Nazairre he 
was forced to throw up the sponge and go to the hospital. He 
was lost to the company thereafter. At present he is located 
in Seattle, Wash. 

[U9] 



The 364th F. H. 

James Barrett Mockbee was born in Hughsville, Mo., 
October 21, 1894, and enlisted with the 364th June 4, 1917. 
"Mock", like a few of the other dental students, had just 
received his diploma before joining the army, and with that 
knowledge of medicine left Portland with a warrant as ser- 
geant. Like the rest of the ''tooth pullers", he was drawn 
out of the ranks and received his commission as a 1st lieu- 
tenant. The latest reports advise he has chosen the army for 
his future career, being located at the Presidio, California. 

Charles E. Gassett. "Chick" passed the physical test 
qualifying him as one of Colonel Strohm's members, and 
after spending a year in Camp Lewis with his company was 
forced to retire from active service on account of doctors' 
orders. This was the cause of much regret on the part of 
members of the company. Chick, at the present time, is with 
the telephone company, living at 146 Vermont Street, Port- 
land, Oregon. 

Alfred Schilt. "Al" started out with the company as 
one of the original buck privates, but had the honor and dis- 
tinction of being the first man in the 364th to receive a com- 
mission. He had just received his diploma as a jaw 
whacker before joining the service, therefore receiving a 
commission as a 1st lieutenant in the dental corps, being at- 
tached to the 364th F. H. and going overseas with that unit. 
He was later attached to the 361st Infantry and went through 
all engagements with that regiment, being wounded during 
the Argonne drive. Al is established in Portland in the 
dental business. 

Lewis Cedric Holbrook was another fortunate of Colonel 
Strohm's staff who left Portland with the chevrons sewed 
on his sleeve. He was promoted to sergeant 1st cl. while in 
Camp Lewis, and for the time being was known as the "top 
kicker". On arriving in Prance, Lu was instrumental in the 
speedy evacuation of the sick and wounded to the rear. On 
arriving in Revigny he developed a case of influenza and 
was himself eva;cuated, being lost to the company from that 
time on. At present Lu is located in Portland with the 
Western Cooperage Company. 

Theodore Preble. "Ted", as he was known by all, also 

[120] 



What We Know About Them 

signed his name with the first bunch in Dr. Strohm's office; 
but after spending several months at Camp Lewis, decided 
his ability was for another branch of the service. He was 
transferred to the aviation section of the army and was 
located at San Diego, Calif. At present Ted is located in 
Portland, Oregon, and he can be reached through the Mult- 
nomah Athletic Club. 

John Guy Strohm was born in Endicott, Nebr., October 
28, 1885. He enlisted in the Medical Reserve Corps April 
18, 1917, and was instrumental in the organization of the 
364th F. H., being the first C. 0. of that unit. Upon tele- 
graphic orders 148, paragraph 35, Western Department, he 
assembled his seventy-nine enlisted men of the M. R. C, com- 
prising what was later known as the 364th F. H. Company. 
On July 15th, 1917, he entrained with his men for Camp 
Lewis. John Guy became known as ''Little Napoleon" 
among the men, deriving this name from his activities in pro- 
moting advancement and moves for the betterment of his 
company. After spending the major portion of his time, 
while at Camp Lewis, with the 364th, he was promoted to 
Assistant Division Surgeon under Lieutenant-Colonel Peter 
C. Fields, later going to France in that capacity. While in 
France he was transferred as Director of Field Hospitals and 
was highly commended for his splendid work in this con- 
nection, earning the promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel and 
made Division Surgeon — the position he held for the dura- 
tion of the war. When Colonel Strohm left the company he 
did not lose sight of his original unit, but at all times kept in 
close touch with his "first love". It is needless to say that 
each and every one who served under him valued his consider- 
ation and friendship. At the present time Colonel Strohm is 
practicing his profession in Portland, Oregon, with offices in 
the Medical Building, where he continually keeps the "wel- 
come sign" hanging for all of the old 364th. 

Colonel L. Vanderboget was born in Palmyra, New York, 
December 22, 1883. He commenced active duty for Uncle 
Sam in the M. C, Camp Lewis, July 28, 1917. Lieutenant 
"Van" was transferred to the company shortly after their 
arrival in Camp Lewis, being attached to the 364th through 
all of its major drives in France and Belgium. Lieutenant 

[121] 



The 364th F. H. 

Van claims the distinction of being one of the first of the 
company to go overseas, as he was one of the advance party 
of the 91st Division, and the last to reach American soil after 
sixteen months of service overseas. An interesting letter 
from him sets forth his travels after leaving the company, 
which we quote for the benefit of all : 

"After I left the company I was sent back up to the Ad- 
vanced Section again and went on duty at Camp Hospital 
No. 8, which you will remember was just out of the town of 
Montigny, where we used to go for baths. I was on duty 
there about two months, and was then given two ambulances 
and five men to put in an infirmary at the next town north 
of there, and cover about six towns where there were a lot 
of negro engineers building roads. The last part of May I 
came down to Le Mons with a bunch of them on my way 
home ; but before I left there I had asked for a leave to Eng- 
land, which caught up with me, and I went over to England 
for fourteen days. I visited all the British Isles and had a 
fine time. After I came back I was sent on duty to St. 
Nazaire. Soon after arriving there I was put on duty at the 
segregation camp and was there until the last part of Sep- 
tember, after which I was sent to Brest on the same kind of 
dutj^ October 26, 1919, I sailed for home and landed in New 
York November 3rd, and you must know that it looked 
mighty good to me. I expect to remain in the regular army 
for awhile, later taking a post-graduate course in my special 
line of work". 

At present Lieutenant Van is located in Army General 
Hospital No. 6, Port McPherson, Ga. 

Franklin J. Corper first saw the light of day March 27, 
1892, in Chicago. 111. Captain Corper was transferred to the 
364th F. H. from the Depot Brigade soon after his arrival in 
Camp Lewis. Being a young man, full of '*pep and ambi- 
tion", he soon had the boys on their toes and working hard 
at anything he might suggest. The captain was at all times 
willing and eager to explain and teach any detail, which 
would be for the betterment of the company. After spending 
months of training at Camp Lewis, he embarked with the 
364th for overseas, where he went through all the major 
drives participated in by the 91st Division. Shortly before 
the companj^'s departure for home Captain Corper was 

[122] 




Rifhnrd P. Glasscock 
Carl O. Muhr 



Harry Carroll 
James L. Carroll 



James Vranizan 
jjient. Mockbee 



What We Know About Them 

assigned to the infantry as medical officer for their trip 
back to the States, where he returned to his home at 5847 
Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, 111. We have had a few letters 
from Captain Corper since his arrival and from remarks from 
some of the old company who have seen him while in Chi- 
cago, we learn that he is nicely located with a large practice. 

Carl L. Koehn was born in Osage, Ohio, December 13, 
1888, and enlisted in the United States M. C, July 23, 1917. 
Captain Koehn was transferred to the 364th F. H. on his 
arrival in Camp Lewis, being one of the oldest officers of the 
company. The captain won the esteem and friendship of 
every man by his untiring efforts to render any service and 
furnish any knowledge to those unfamiliar with medical 
science. While overseas his work among the sick and 
wounded was worthy of special comment, and his kindness 
to many an unknown boy will not be forgotten. On the com- 
pany's return to the States Captain Koehn returned to the 
good old town of Red Dog, Mont., where he hung out the 
shingle advising his many patients he was ready for business. 

Duncan D. Monroe claims Durham, Iowa, as the town of 
his birth, which event is recorded in the family Bible as 
October 12, 1873. "Daddy" Monroe was one of the early 
attaches of the company, instructing the enlisted personnel 
in the fundamental principals of medicine. Captain Monroe 
gained the title of ''Daddy" due to his constant watch over 
each individual member of the company. After spending the 
major portion of his time with the company, both at Camp 
Lewis and overseas, keen regret was felt by each and every 
one at the news of his transfer. After the armistice, Captain 
Monroe returned to Seattle, Wash., where he is now prac- 
ticing medicine at 4239 Fourth Avenue N. E. 

FYank R. Mount was bom in the town of Springfield, 
Oregon, in the year 1888. He was one of the first officers to 
enlist with Colonel Strohm at the time the company was 
organized in Portlatid. His record is one to be envied : 
Starting out as a 1st lieutenant and being discharged as a 
lieutenant-colonel. After spending several months with the 
364th in Camp Lewis he was transferred to the H. Q. of the 
91st Division and assigned as sanitary inspector, going 
through all engagements with the 91st. At present Dr. Mount 
is practicing medicine in Oregon City, Oregon. 

[]23] 



The 364th F. H. 

John W. Colbert assumed command of the company on 
the departure of Lieutenant Strohm to the Division Surgeon's 
office, retaining command through all of its activities in 
France and Belgium. Captain Colbert on taking command 
of the company, and due to his excellent work, was promoted 
to the rank of major; however, if his advancement had been 
under the jurisdiction of the men serving under him, he 
would have attained the title of a general. No officer was 
better liked than Major Colbert, and the many years to come 
will never efface the memory of close association with him. 
Major Colbert was one of the advance guard of the 91st 
Division going overseas, taking command of his company 
upon its arrival at Montigny, and piloting them through 
their three major offences. He was wounded once by high 
explosive while establishing a location in the Argonne. After 
the Armistice he brought his company safely back to Ameri- 
can soil, where they were, in due time, sent to their respective 
camps for discharge. Major Colbert is, at the present time, 
located in Manila, P. I., where he is again practicing medi- 
cine. 

Marion J. Jones. Upon his enlistment he was detailed to 
the ambulance section, sanitary train, with title of captain. 
While overseas he was transferred from that section to the 
364th F. H., where he competently filled a vacancy. He at 
once became a great favorite with the men, and it was not 
on account of the ''gold leaf" that the men respected him, 
but due to the many fine qualities he constantly displayed. 
His untiring efforts in rendering service to the sick and 
wounded was only one of the many commendable acts of his 
army career. His work was also acknowledged by his 
superiors, which led to his promotion as major. At the 
present time Dr. Jones is practicing his profession in Port- 
land, Oregon, where numerous members of his old company 
will testify to the continuance of his good work. 

Elphege P. La Grandeur was comfortably situated in 
Missoula, Mont., when the war broke out, and with the first 
call came to Camp Lewis. After spending a few weeks in the 
depot brigade, transferred into the 364th F. H., where sev- 
eral of his friends were located. After doing fours east and 
west for several weeks and serving on K. P., his ability as a 
cook was soon discovered, and upon the departure of Cook 

[124] 



What We Know About Them 

Grigwire, Pay was placed in charge of the kitchen a job 
which he held until the company's return to the States. From 
the latest reports he is back in his home town, 1231 Sher- 
wood Avenue, Missoula, Mont. 

Edwin Grigwire. In mentioning this young man, we do 
so chiefly for the reason of bringing back memories of our 
first days in camp. ''Grig" was one of the first to sign up 
with the old company, and, although just back from the 
Mexican border, was anxious to get into the game again. 
Colonel Strohm, knowing of his ability as a cook, hastily 
accepted him, but after several months at Camp Lewis, Grig 
was compelled to give up his duties at the suggestion of the 
company physicians. At present Grig is attending 0. A. C, 
Corvallis, Oregon, and we are very glad to state that he is 
back to his normal condition. 

C. P. R. Short. Roy was one of the faithful members who 
left Portland with the original contingent. After serving: 
through all the company's activities, was injured in an auto- 
mobile accident in Prance and was compelled to go to the 
rear to recuperate. He later rejoined the company in Bel- 
gium. On returning to the States and after being discharged 
at Camp Lewis, has accepted a position with one of the lead- 
ing rubber companies, making The Dalles, Oregon, his head- 
quarters. 

Linford Besson, although not connected with the 364th 
P. H. for any length of time, came to us after his service 
with the 316th Engineers in the Argonne. After spending 
several months with the company, the lieutenant was trans- 
ferred back to the infantry for duty with them on their 
return home. At the present time Doctor Besson has estab- 
lished offices and is following his profession as physician and 
surgeon with his brother in the Selling Building, Portland, 
Oregon. 

George Carroll. George, like a good many of the original 
crew, spending nearly a year of his time with the 364th in 
Camp Lewis, became impatient on account of their long stay 
and decided to transfer to q. m. corps. After being with 
them for some time was sent East to the O. T. C, and before 
he received his commission the Armistice was signed. At 

[125] 



The 364th F. H. 

present he is located with the Broadway Bank, Portland, 
Oregon. 

John Harry Carroll hopped on the train with the rest of 
the bunch on July 15, 1917, and patiently stuck it out with 
the company during its long stay at Camp Lewis. Just be- 
fore going overseas he was permitted to wear his sergeant's 
chevrons, sharing this privilege on the same date with Hum- 
mel and Jehlinger. After going through all drives with the 
company, he returned to the States, and at the present time 
can be located at 1031 Arnold Street, Portland, Oregon. 

THE 364TH FIELD HOSPITAL ORGANIZATION 

In the late spring of the year 1919, a few of our buddies 
got an idea into their heads that a permanent organization 
of the old 364th would be a good thing. With this idea in 
mind, a self-appointed committee sent out invitations to all 
old members of the company, to be present at a banquet at 
the Benson Hotel, Portland, Oregon, on July 15th. Original 
members of the company need not be reminded that this was 
the date of entering active service. 

Approximately forty men were present but many more 
proved their willingness to attend by sending telegrams and 
letters of good wishes. A short business session ended with 
James Vranizan, president; J. Harry Carroll, vice-president, 
and John C. Sturm, secretary. The club was given the name 
of "The 364th Field Hospital Organization", with a purpose 
of promoting good fellowship. An annual reunion was de- 
cided the best means of bringing the boys together, and let 
us hope that July 15th of each year to come will find the 
"old gang" congregated some place in Portland, telling how 
we went "over the top" with a bucket of iodine in one hand 
and a swab in the other. 



[126] 



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